With EPS Growth And More, Tatton Asset Management (LON:TAM) Is Interesting
Some have more dollars than sense, they say, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can easily find investors. And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?' Leuz et. al. found that it is 'quite common' for investors to lose money by buying into 'pump and dump' schemes.
In contrast to all that, I prefer to spend time on companies like Tatton Asset Management (LON:TAM), which has not only revenues, but also profits. While that doesn't make the shares worth buying at any price, you can't deny that successful capitalism requires profit, eventually. In comparison, loss making companies act like a sponge for capital - but unlike such a sponge they do not always produce something when squeezed.
See our latest analysis for Tatton Asset Management
How Fast Is Tatton Asset Management Growing Its Earnings Per Share?
In the last three years Tatton Asset Management's earnings per share took off like a rocket; fast, and from a low base. So the actual rate of growth doesn't tell us much. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Like a firecracker arcing through the night sky, Tatton Asset Management's EPS shot from UK£0.087 to UK£0.15, over the last year. Year on year growth of 72% is certainly a sight to behold.
Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. Tatton Asset Management shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 37% to 42%, and revenue is growing. That's great to see, on both counts.
The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.
The trick, as an investor, is to find companies that are going to perform well in the future, not just in the past. To that end, right now and today, you can check our visualization of consensus analyst forecasts for future Tatton Asset Management EPS 100% free.
Are Tatton Asset Management Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?
Like that fresh smell in the air when the rains are coming, insider buying fills me with optimistic anticipation. This view is based on the possibility that stock purchases signal bullishness on behalf of the buyer. Of course, we can never be sure what insiders are thinking, we can only judge their actions.
Any way you look at it Tatton Asset Management shareholders can gain quiet confidence from the fact that insiders shelled out UK£511k to buy stock, over the last year. When you contrast that with the complete lack of sales, it's easy for shareholders to brim with joyful expectancy. It is also worth noting that it was CEO & Director Paul Hogarth who made the biggest single purchase, worth UK£200k, paying UK£2.20 per share.
On top of the insider buying, it's good to see that Tatton Asset Management insiders have a valuable investment in the business. Indeed, they hold UK£14m worth of its stock. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. Those holdings account for over 9.3% of the company; visible skin in the game.
While insiders are apparently happy to hold and accumulate shares, that is just part of the pretty picture. The cherry on top is that the CEO, Paul Hogarth is paid comparatively modestly to CEOs at similar sized companies. For companies with market capitalizations between UK£77m and UK£307m, like Tatton Asset Management, the median CEO pay is around UK£533k.
Tatton Asset Management offered total compensation worth UK£344k to its CEO in the year to . That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense.
Should You Add Tatton Asset Management To Your Watchlist?
Tatton Asset Management's earnings have taken off like any random crypto-currency did, back in 2017. What's more insiders own a significant stake in the company and have been buying more shares. This quick rundown suggests that the business may be of good quality, and also at an inflection point, so maybe Tatton Asset Management deserves timely attention. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Tatton Asset Management that you should be aware of.
There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of Tatton Asset Management, you'll probably love this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. 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.
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