The three most important valuation techniques - P/E

4 important questions on The three most important valuation techniques - P/E

What does the P/E ratio express?

The number of years which an investment into a share needs to be fully amortised by its own earnings.

What is the inverse of P/E? What does it say?

E/P is the earnings yield of a stock, which is in principle comparable to a bond yield.

What are four advantages of a P/E valuation?

  1. Very simple
  2. Only two moving parts: share price and earnings estimate
  3. Easily comparable to bond yields (inverse P/E = E/P)
  4. Vastly available, i.e. Free websites publish analyst earnings estimates for years ahead
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What are three disadvantage of a P/E valuation?

  1. Difficult to compare companies, which are subject to different financing structures, or which have different other liabilities (e.g. Pension funding gaps, off-balance sheet liabilities, etc.)
  2. EPS is an accounting figure and says little about the actual cash flow to shareholders.
  3. EPS can be boosted by one-off gains or other activities, e.g. Financing speculation, sale of assets, reversion of provisions, share buybacks, etc.

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