Here’s Why Bajaj Auto (NSE:BAJAJ-AUTO) Has Caught The Eye Of Investors

It’s common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, ‘Long shots almost never pay off.’ While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn’t suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Bajaj Auto (NSE:BAJAJ-AUTO). While this doesn’t necessarily speak to whether it’s undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation – especially if its growing.

Check out our latest analysis for Bajaj Auto

Bajaj Auto’s Earnings Per Share Are Growing

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. Over the last three years, Bajaj Auto has grown EPS by 8.6% per year. That growth rate is fairly good, assuming the company can keep it up.

One way to double-check a company’s growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Our analysis has highlighted that Bajaj Auto’s revenue from operations did not account for all of their revenue in the previous 12 months, so our analysis of its margins might not accurately reflect the underlying business. While we note Bajaj Auto achieved similar EBIT margins to last year, revenue grew by a solid 4.9% to ₹349b. That’s progress.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. For finer detail, click on the image.

Of course the knack is to find stocks that have their best days in the future, not in the past. You could base your opinion on past performance, of course, but you may also want to check this interactive graph of professional analyst EPS forecasts for Bajaj Auto.

Are Bajaj Auto Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

We would not expect to see insiders owning a large percentage of a ₹1.0t company like Bajaj Auto. But thanks to their investment in the company, it’s pleasing to see that there are still incentives to align their actions with the shareholders. Notably, they have an enviable stake in the company, worth ₹26b. Investors will appreciate management having this amount of skin in the game as it shows their commitment to the company’s future.

Should You Add Bajaj Auto To Your Watchlist?

One important encouraging feature of Bajaj Auto is that it is growing profits. To add an extra spark to the fire, significant insider ownership in the company is another highlight. That combination is very appealing. So yes, we do think the stock is worth keeping an eye on. We don’t want to rain on the parade too much, but we did also find 1 warning sign for Bajaj Auto that you need to be mindful of.

Although Bajaj Auto certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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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.