If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in ProFrac Holding's (NASDAQ:ACDC) returns on capital, so let's have a look.
What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?
For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for ProFrac Holding:
Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)
0.0053 = US$12m ÷ (US$3.0b - US$685m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2025).
So, ProFrac Holding has an ROCE of 0.5%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Energy Services industry average of 11%.
Check out our latest analysis for ProFrac Holding
Above you can see how the current ROCE for ProFrac Holding compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for ProFrac Holding .
The Trend Of ROCE
ProFrac Holding has recently broken into profitability so their prior investments seem to be paying off. About five years ago the company was generating losses but things have turned around because it's now earning 0.5% on its capital. Not only that, but the company is utilizing 338% more capital than before, but that's to be expected from a company trying to break into profitability. We like this trend, because it tells us the company has profitable reinvestment opportunities available to it, and if it continues going forward that can lead to a multi-bagger performance.
In Conclusion...
To the delight of most shareholders, ProFrac Holding has now broken into profitability. Astute investors may have an opportunity here because the stock has declined 58% in the last three years. That being the case, research into the company's current valuation metrics and future prospects seems fitting.
If you'd like to know more about ProFrac Holding, we've spotted 2 warning signs, and 1 of them makes us a bit uncomfortable.
For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity.
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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.