Before computing ROA,analysts isolate a company's sustainable operating profits by removing nonoperating or nonrecurring items from reported income.

Sustainable Operating Profits

Profits from core business operations that are expected to continue or be maintained without significant new investment or changes in the business environment.

Nonrecurring Items

Financial events that are not expected to happen regularly in a company's business cycle, affecting the company's usual revenue or expenses.

Reported Income

The income that a company officially reports, usually on its income statement, reflecting the financial performance over a specific period.