The Rolls-Royce (LSE:RR.) share price has been the standout performer amongst FTSE 100 shares over the previous two years, rising practically 400%. What a outstanding turnaround it’s been since Covid-19 practically destroyed the enterprise.

So, what components underpin the aerospace and defence inventory’s unimaginable efficiency? And may the expansion trajectory proceed?

Right here’s what the charts say!

Increasing margins

CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç’s tenure has been characterised by strategic initiatives and a value effectivity drive. Quickly after taking the job at the beginning of 2023, he derided the agency as a “burning platform” that was underperforming opponents.

Since these feedback, the corporate’s undergone successive rounds of job cuts and adopted a extra streamlined enterprise mannequin. These modifications have paid off handsomely.

Rolls-Royce’s underlying working margin greater than doubled in FY23 to 10.3%. Furthermore, the gross margin of 21.7% is at a five-year excessive.

These figures are a window into the monetary well being of the enterprise, with implications for pricing methods, effectivity, and development potential.

There’s little doubt a robust margins restoration has been a big issue within the Rolls-Royce share price surge.

Debt discount

So too has the substantial steadiness sheet enchancment.

For context, Rolls-Royce was compelled to lift £7.3bn in debt and fairness on the peak of the pandemic. Right now, the enterprise was burning by way of money to remain afloat whereas plane fleets remained grounded.

The outlook’s modified dramatically. Rolls-Royce has regained an investment-grade credit standing from all main businesses. Internet debt’s fallen to £2bn, down from £3.3bn on the finish of FY22.

Crucially, the debt-to-assets ratio has plummeted to only 0.18. Consequently, the steadiness sheet appears to be like significantly more healthy immediately.

Valuation

Nonetheless, the corporate now has the next valuation.

Historically, a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio between one and two is fascinating from an investor’s perspective. For Rolls-Royce, that a number of’s now eclipsed this higher restrict. The P/S ratio is at present 2.22.

This implies the Rolls-Royce share price is not the cut price it was throughout the pandemic. The next valuation poses dangers to future returns.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the corporate’s inventory market efficiency over the approaching years isn’t as stellar because it’s been in recent times.

Rolls-Royce shares may have additional room to run if future earnings are good, however they’re most likely nearer to being pretty valued than undervalued immediately.

Future targets

Nonetheless, Erginbilgiç doesn’t lack ambition. Mid-term targets spanning a spread of metrics counsel there’s potential for additional enhancements in step with a 2027 timeframe.

The group’s indicated these advances will probably be “progressive, however not essentially linear“. Accordingly, buyers ought to anticipate share price volatility alongside the way in which.

However, the massive image’s broadly encouraging. The Civil Aerospace division ought to proceed to profit from an ongoing restoration in massive engine flying hours. Plus, the Defence arm has a number of potential development alternatives, such because the deployment of micro-reactor nuclear applied sciences in submarine fleets.

On steadiness, I believe the Rolls-Royce share price development story stays intact, however we’ve most likely seen the lion’s share of the good points already. I’ll proceed to carry my shares for now.

Traders who’re eager to enter a place may take into account pound-cost averaging their share purchases to capitalise on any potential dips over the approaching quarters.