Highlights:
GLG’s return on capital employed (ROCE) is notably lower than the luxury industry average.
The company has reduced its capital employed over the last few years, indicating a contraction in its operations.
GLG has successfully decreased its current liabilities, improving some aspects of its financial position.
GLG (ASX:GLE) operates in the luxury industry, where businesses are expected to demonstrate strong returns on capital employed (ROCE) and consistent growth. ROCE is a key measure that shows how effectively a company generates income from its capital. In the case of GLG, its current ROCE is considerably lower than the industry average, signaling potential challenges in generating strong returns from its investments.
Defining Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
ROCE is a ratio used to assess how efficiently a company is using its capital to generate profits. It is calculated by dividing a company’s earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) by the total capital employed in the business. A higher ROCE suggests that a company is effectively utilizing its resources to generate income. GLG’s current ROCE suggests that it may not be making the best use of its capital in comparison to other companies within its sector.
Trend in GLG’s ROCE Performance
Over the last few years, GLG’s ROCE has remained flat, indicating that the company has not improved its efficiency in generating returns. Meanwhile, the capital employed by GLG has decreased, which may imply a contraction of the company’s operations. This reduction in capital could suggest that GLG is scaling back its business, perhaps by selling off assets, which is generally not seen in growing companies. The stagnation in returns, paired with the shrinking capital, raises questions about the company’s long-term growth prospects.
Capital Employed and Its Implications
The decrease in GLG’s capital employed could be a sign of the company struggling to maintain or expand its operations. A shrinking capital base might indicate that GLG is finding it difficult to sustain growth, which could impact future opportunities for expansion. This contraction could reflect challenges in generating adequate returns to justify maintaining or increasing its investments.
Liability Management and Financial Health
On a more positive note, GLG has made progress in managing its liabilities. Over recent years, the company has reduced its current liabilities relative to its total assets, which helps in improving its financial stability. A reduction in liabilities suggests that GLG is working to decrease its immediate financial obligations, which could ease some pressure on the business. However, with a portion of its assets still tied up in liabilities, some degree of financial risk remains present.