Investors were disappointed with the weak earnings posted by BRP Inc. (TSE:DOO ). Despite the soft profit numbers, our analysis has optimistic about the overall quality of the income statement.

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The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand BRP's profit results, we need to consider the CA$86m expense attributed to unusual items. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect BRP to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

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 BRP's Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from BRP's earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that BRP's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! On the other hand, its EPS actually shrunk in the last twelve months. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. If you'd like to know more about BRP as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 3 warning signs for BRP and we think they deserve your attention.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of BRP's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.

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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.