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Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. We'll apply a basic P/E ratio analysis to Argos Resources Ltd's (LON:ARG), to help you decide if the stock is worth further research. Based on the last twelve months, Argos Resources's P/E ratio is 22.88. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 4.4%.
Check out our latest analysis for Argos Resources
How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?
The formula for price to earnings is:
Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share (in the reporting currency) ÷ Earnings per Share (EPS)
Or for Argos Resources:
P/E of 22.88 = $0.042 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, USD ) ÷ $0.0018 (Based on the year to December 2018.)
Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good?
A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E.
How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios
Probably the most important factor in determining what P/E a company trades on is the earnings growth. When earnings grow, the 'E' increases, over time. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases.
In the last year, Argos Resources grew EPS like Taylor Swift grew her fan base back in 2010; the 243% gain was both fast and well deserved.
How Does Argos Resources's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers?
We can get an indication of market expectations by looking at the P/E ratio. The image below shows that Argos Resources has a higher P/E than the average (9.5) P/E for companies in the oil and gas industry.
Its relatively high P/E ratio indicates that Argos Resources shareholders think it will perform better than other companies in its industry classification. Clearly the market expects growth, but it isn't guaranteed. So investors should always consider the P/E ratio alongside other factors, such as whether company directors have been buying shares.
A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank
Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash).