Post Holdings Inc (POST)

Profitability ratios

Return on sales

Sep 30, 2023 Sep 30, 2022 Sep 30, 2021 Sep 30, 2020 Sep 30, 2019
Gross profit margin 26.92% 25.08% 28.67% 30.77% 31.54%
Operating profit margin 8.57% 7.10% 9.79% 11.39% 13.75%
Pretax margin 5.74% 14.40% 4.52% -0.44% 2.13%
Net profit margin 4.31% 12.93% 3.35% 0.02% 2.19%

Post Holdings Inc's profitability ratios have fluctuated over the past five years. The gross profit margin decreased from 31.54% in 2019 to 25.08% in 2022 before recovering to 26.92% in 2023. This may indicate increased costs or pricing pressures in 2022, which the company was able to partially mitigate in 2023.

Similarly, the operating profit margin declined from 12.63% in 2019 to 7.10% in 2022, before improving to 9.17% in 2023. This suggests that the company's operating expenses underwent significant changes, impacting its operating efficiency.

The pretax margin experienced substantial fluctuations, from 2.15% in 2019 to 14.15% in 2022 and then to 5.90% in 2023. This erratic trend may reflect the impact of extraordinary or non-recurring items on the company's pretax income.

The net profit margin also exhibited significant variability, dropping from 2.14% in 2019 to 0.01% in 2020, before recovering to 12.93% in 2022 and then declining to 4.31% in 2023. These fluctuations in net profit margin may stem from changes in operating efficiency, non-operating income, or tax burdens.

In conclusion, Post Holdings Inc's profitability ratios have displayed fluctuating trends over the past five years, reflecting changes in gross profit, operating efficiency, extraordinary items, and net income. Further analysis of the underlying factors driving these fluctuations would be necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the company's profitability.


Return on investment

Sep 30, 2023 Sep 30, 2022 Sep 30, 2021 Sep 30, 2020 Sep 30, 2019
Operating return on assets (Operating ROA) 5.14% 3.68% 3.93% 4.42% 6.53%
Return on assets (ROA) 2.59% 6.69% 1.34% 0.01% 1.04%
Return on total capital 6.88% 12.60% 6.07% 3.19% 4.44%
Return on equity (ROE) 7.84% 23.25% 6.08% 0.03% 4.26%

Post Holdings Inc's profitability ratios exhibit varying levels of performance over the past five years.

The Operating Return on Assets (Operating ROA) has shown a fluctuating trend, starting at 6.01% in 2019, decreasing to 5.28% in 2021, and then increasing to 5.50% in 2023. This implies that the company's ability to generate operating income from its assets has shown some variability.

Return on Assets (ROA) has been inconsistent, with a significant improvement in 2022 to 6.69% followed by a sharp decline to 2.59% in 2023. This suggests that the company's net earnings generated from its total assets have been erratic.

Return on Total Capital has also displayed inconsistency, fluctuating between 3.76% and 6.78% over the past five years. This indicates that the overall return generated from the company's total capital has not been stable.

Return on Equity (ROE) exhibited a notable surge in 2022 to 23.25%, followed by a decrease to 7.84% in 2023. This suggests that the return generated from the shareholders' equity has been volatile.

In conclusion, the profitability ratios of Post Holdings Inc have shown a lack of consistent performance over the past five years, with varying levels of returns on assets, total capital, and equity. This variability indicates the need for a thorough analysis of the company's operational and financial strategies to sustain and improve profitability.