ROE Myths Exposed: Why 35% Isn't Always Great
Beginners chase high ROE companies thinking they're goldmines. ROE deception comes in 4 forms that inflate numbers without real strength.
ROE Formula
Net Profit ÷ Shareholders' Equity. For ₹100 equity, how much profit? Clean math, dirty tricks.
4 ROE Inflators
1. Heavy Debt
- A: ₹100 profit, ₹500 equity, ₹0 debt → 20% ROE
- B: ₹100 profit, ₹200 equity, ₹800 debt → 50% ROE
Same profit. B risks bankruptcy for screen appeal.
2. Buybacks/Past Losses
Share repurchases or accumulated losses shrink equity base. ROE jumps automatically—no business improvement.
3. One-Year Profit Spike
Land sale spikes profit temporarily. ROE shines one year, normalizes next. Cyclical trap.
4. Non-Operating Income
Asset sales, forex gains, tax reversals boost profit. Check operating cash flow to validate.
True Quality Checks
- ROCE (EBIT ÷ Equity+Debt): Exposes debt reliance (high ROE, low ROCE = red flag)
- ROE Consistency: 5-10 years proves sustainability
- Debt/Equity <1: High leverage + high ROE = danger
- Steady Revenue/Profit Growth: Avoid lumpy earnings
Real Examples
Asian Paints, HDFC Bank (pre-merger): 20-25% ROE for 10+ years. Low debt, operational compounding.
Core Lesson
Flashy ROE hides weak businesses. Boring, consistent quality creates wealth. Understanding protects capital.
@Stockupdate9
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