This week we saw the Calima Energy Limited (ASX:CE1) share price climb by 14%. But if you look at the last five years the returns have not been good. After all, the share price is down 98% in that time, significantly under-performing the market. We really hope anyone holding through that price crash has a diversified portfolio. Even when you lose money, you don't have to lose the lesson.

The recent uptick of 14% could be a positive sign of things to come, so let's take a look at historical fundamentals.

View our latest analysis for Calima Energy

Calima Energy recorded just AU$1,052,000 in revenue over the last twelve months, which isn't really enough for us to consider it to have a proven product. This state of affairs suggests that venture capitalists won't provide funds on attractive terms. So it seems shareholders are too busy dreaming about the progress to come than dwelling on the current (lack of) revenue. It seems likely some shareholders believe that Calima Energy will discover or develop fossil fuel before too long.

We think companies that have neither significant revenues nor profits are pretty high risk. There is almost always a chance they will need to raise more capital, and their progress - and share price - will dictate how dilutive that is to current holders. While some such companies go on to make revenue, profits, and generate value, others get hyped up by hopeful naifs before eventually going bankrupt. Calima Energy has already given some investors a taste of the bitter losses that high risk investing can cause.

Calima Energy had liabilities exceeding cash by AU$35m when it last reported in December 2023, according to our data. That puts it in the highest risk category, according to our analysis. But with the share price diving 15% per year, over 5 years , it's probably fair to say that some shareholders no longer believe the company will succeed. You can see in the image below, how Calima Energy's cash levels have changed over time (click to see the values).

Of course, the truth is that it is hard to value companies without much revenue or profit. Given that situation, would you be concerned if it turned out insiders were relentlessly selling stock? I would feel more nervous about the company if that were so. It only takes a moment for you to check whether we have identified any insider sales recently.

What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

We've already covered Calima Energy's share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Calima Energy hasn't been paying dividends, but its TSR of -3.8% exceeds its share price return of -98%, implying it has either spun-off a business, or raised capital at a discount; thereby providing additional value to shareholders.