How does WOR's earnings trend compare year-over-year?

Worthington Industries, Inc. (WOR) has shown a decline in earnings over the past year, with a significant drop in net income in the fourth quarter (Q4) of fiscal 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. Here's a detailed analysis of the company's earnings trend:

1. **Overall Earnings Trend**: Worthington Industries experienced a substantial decline in net earnings in Q4 of fiscal 2023, with a net loss of $31.8 million compared to a net profit of $129.9 million in the same quarter of the previous year. This indicates a sharp downturn in the company's financial performance.
2. **Year-Over-Year Comparison**: The company's earnings per share (EPS) also took a hit, with a EPS of -$0.65 in Q4 of fiscal 2023 compared to $2.61 in the same quarter of the previous year. This suggests that not only the net profit but also the profitability per share of common stock has declined significantly.
3. **Revenue Comparison**: While the company's revenue for Q4 of fiscal 2023 was $318.8 million, it was higher than the revenue of $368.8 million in the same quarter of the previous year. However, this increase in revenue did not translate into a corresponding increase in net income.
4. **Analysts' Expectations**: Analysts had projected a higher revenue of $0.94 per share, which was not met, indicating that the company's performance was below expectations.
5. **Return on Equity (ROE)**: The company's ROE stood at 16.96%, which is a healthy figure, but it does not necessarily indicate a strong earnings trend due to the decline in net income.
6. **Net Margin**: Worthington Industries maintained a net margin of 5.22%, which is a positive aspect, but it is not enough to mask the negative impact of the decreased net income and EPS.

In conclusion, Worthington Industries has faced a challenging period, with a substantial decline in net income and EPS compared to the previous year, despite a slight increase in revenue. The company's ROE remains strong, but the negative earnings trend is a concern for investors.