The most recent earnings report from Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) was disappointing for shareholders. Despite the soft profit numbers, our analysis has optimistic about the overall quality of the income statement.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand Bunge Global's profit results, we need to consider the US$379m expense attributed to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Bunge Global 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 Bunge Global's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Bunge Global's earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that Bunge Global's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. 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 Bunge Global at this point in time. You'd be interested to know, that we found 1 warning sign for Bunge Global and you'll want to know about it.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Bunge Global'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. 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.