The price-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) is a measure of a company’s stock price relative to its earnings per share (EPS). It is calculated by dividing the company’s price per share by its EPS.

Formula:

P/E Ratio = Price per Share / Earnings per Share (EPS)

Interpretation:

• The P/E ratio is a measure of market valuation.
• Companies with high P/E ratios are considered to be more expensive than companies with low P/E ratios.
• Investors use P/E ratios to compare companies and to gauge their relative value.
• A high P/E ratio indicates that investors are willing to pay a premium for the company’s stock, while a low P/E ratio indicates that investors are willing to buy the company’s stock at a lower price.

Factors Affecting P/E Ratio:

• Industry: Different industries have different average P/E ratios. For example, technology companies tend to have higher P/E ratios than utility companies.
• Company Size: Larger companies generally have lower P/E ratios than smaller companies.
• Growth Prospects: Companies with high growth prospects tend to have higher P/E ratios.
• Financial Strength: Companies with strong financial health tend to have lower P/E ratios.
• Market Conditions: Overall market conditions can affect P/E ratios. For example, during economic downturns, P/E ratios tend to decline.

Uses:

• Comparing companies
• Assessing company valuation
• Identifying undervalued or overvalued stocks

Limitations:

• EPS can be difficult to estimate accurately.
• P/E ratios do not reflect company size or industry.
• P/E ratios do not account for other factors that may affect stock price, such as market conditions or company growth prospects.
• P/E ratios can be misleading for companies with abnormal financial performance.