TK Group (Holdings) Limited's (HKG:2283) recent earnings report didn't offer any surprises, with the shares unchanged over the last week. We did some digging, and we think that investors are missing some encouraging factors in the underlying numbers.

Check out our latest analysis for TK Group (Holdings)

Examining Cashflow Against TK Group (Holdings)'s Earnings

One key financial ratio used to measure how well a company converts its profit to free cash flow (FCF) is the accrual ratio. In plain english, this ratio subtracts FCF from net profit, and divides that number by the company's average operating assets over that period. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'.

That means a negative accrual ratio is a good thing, because it shows that the company is bringing in more free cash flow than its profit would suggest. While it's not a problem to have a positive accrual ratio, indicating a certain level of non-cash profits, a high accrual ratio is arguably a bad thing, because it indicates paper profits are not matched by cash flow. To quote a 2014 paper by Lewellen and Resutek, "firms with higher accruals tend to be less profitable in the future".

Over the twelve months to June 2024, TK Group (Holdings) recorded an accrual ratio of -0.24. That indicates that its free cash flow quite significantly exceeded its statutory profit. To wit, it produced free cash flow of HK$360m during the period, dwarfing its reported profit of HK$229.2m. TK Group (Holdings)'s free cash flow improved over the last year, which is generally good to see.

That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.

Our Take On TK Group (Holdings)'s Profit Performance

As we discussed above, TK Group (Holdings)'s accrual ratio indicates strong conversion of profit to free cash flow, which is a positive for the company. Because of this, we think TK Group (Holdings)'s underlying earnings potential is as good as, or possibly even better, than the statutory profit makes it seem! Of course, we've only just scratched the surface when it comes to analysing its earnings; one could also consider margins, forecast growth, and return on investment, among other factors. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing TK Group (Holdings) at this point in time. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for TK Group (Holdings) you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of TK Group (Holdings)'s profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with significant insider holdings to be useful.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.