Stock FAQs

what is a good p/e ratio for a stock

by Fatima Rolfson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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That said, here is a general guideline about good PE ratios based on growth rate:

  • No growth: 10 or lower
  • Slow growth: 12
  • Moderate growth: 15
  • Fast growth: 25+

Investors tend to prefer using forward P/E, though the current PE is high, too, right now at about 23 times earnings. There's no specific number that indicates expensiveness, but, typically, stocks with P/E ratios of below 15 are considered cheap, while stocks above about 18 are thought of as expensive.May 5, 2020

Full Answer

What is a good PE ratio for a stock?

Apr 03, 2022 · So, what is a good PE ratio for a stock? A “good” P/E ratio isn’t necessarily a high ratio or a low ratio on its own. The market average P/E ratio currently ranges from 20-25, so a higher PE above that could be considered bad, while a lower PE ratio could be considered better. However, the long answer is more nuanced than that.

How to find the historical PE ratio for any stock?

Mar 11, 2022 · P/E ratio, or price-to-earnings ratio, is a quick way to see if a stock is undervalued or overvalued. And so generally speaking, the lower the P/E ratio is, the better it is for both the business and potential investors. The metric is the stock price of a company divided by its earnings per share. You shouldn’t compare P/E ratios of different kinds of companies, like a …

How to use PE ratio in your investing strategy?

Dec 07, 2021 · Research conducted from 1953 to 1988 demonstrated the average P/E ratio for best performing stocks right before equity boom was 20, while the Dow’s P/E ratio for this period was 15! Superstar stocks could be overvalued.

What is the highest PE ratio?

Nov 10, 2017 · What Is a Good P/E Ratio? When you’re making investing decisions and choosing between different stocks, one factor to take into consideration is the …

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Is it better to have a higher or lower PE ratio?

Many investors will say that it is better to buy shares in companies with a lower P/E because this means you are paying less for every dollar of earnings that you receive. In that sense, a lower P/E is like a lower price tag, making it attractive to investors looking for a bargain.

Is 30 a good PE ratio?

A P/E of 30 is high by historical stock market standards. This type of valuation is usually placed on only the fastest-growing companies by investors in the company's early stages of growth. Once a company becomes more mature, it will grow more slowly and the P/E tends to decline.

Is a PE ratio of 10 good?

A P/E ratio of 10 might be pretty normal for a utility company, while it might be exceptionally low for a software business. That's where the industry PE ratios come into play.Apr 3, 2022

Whats a good dividend yield?

What is a good dividend yield? In general, dividend yields of 2% to 4% are considered strong, and anything above 4% can be a great buy—but also a risky one. When comparing stocks, it's important to look at more than just the dividend yield.

Bottom Line

It’s a good idea for investors to understand the P/E ratio and how to use it to evaluate share prices. But it’s only one of many available metrics. It shouldn’t be used alone, and it shouldn’t be used to compare companies that are in different businesses. That said, it is a handy way of seeing if a stock is a bargain or not.

Tips to Become a Better Investor

Financial advisors often have years of experience managing investments, making them great partners for anyone looking to improve their portfolio. To find local advisors that meet your specific needs, use SmartAsset’s free matching tool. If you’re ready to build a better portfolio, get started now.

Growth Versus Value Debate

Much like the entire business, the value of the stock is linked to the ability of the company to generate cash. A low P/E ratio of stocks suggests a value orientation. The P/E ratio also indicates market expectations regarding future stock performance. Higher P/E ratios suggest more growth expectations for the company.

The Big Picture

As economies mature, inflation rises. Certain industries like banks work well as they charge higher rates on products. On the other hand, towards the end of the recession, interest rates are low, and banks earn less revenue.

Conclusion: Calculating the PE Ratio

Calculating a justified P/E ratio could be the way out too, apart from seeing the big picture. But the fact remains that P/E ratio is one of many metrics for evaluating stocks. It may seem like an important ratio but basing your decision to invest only on this metric has negative consequences.

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