There's no doubt that investing in the stock market is a truly brilliant way to build wealth. But if you choose that path, you're going to buy some stocks that fall short of the market. Over the last year the Manitex International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTX) share price is up 46%, but that's less than the broader market return. Unfortunately the longer term returns are not so good, with the stock falling 41% in the last three years.

See our latest analysis for Manitex International

Given that Manitex International didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

Manitex International actually shrunk its revenue over the last year, with a reduction of 21%. The lacklustre gain of 46% over twelve months, is not a bad result given the falling revenue. We'd want to see progress to profitability before getting too interested in this stock.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

If you are thinking of buying or selling Manitex International stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

A Different Perspective

Manitex International's TSR for the year was broadly in line with the market average, at 46%. Most would be happy with a gain, and it helps that the year's return is actually better than the average return over five years, which was 0.8%. It is possible that management foresight will bring growth well into the future, even if the share price slows down. Most investors take the time to check the data on insider transactions. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. 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.

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