Price to earnings ratio: Difference between revisions

From ACT Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
imported>Doug Williamson
(Updated entry. Source ACT Glossary of terms)
imported>Doug Williamson
(Link with Earnings page.)
Line 44: Line 44:
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Bootstrap effect]]
* [[Bootstrap effect]]
* [[Earnings]]
* [[Earnings multiples]]
* [[Earnings multiples]]
* [[Earnings per share]]
* [[Earnings per share]]

Revision as of 05:49, 14 April 2015

(PER).

The ratio of the equity value of a company to its accounting earnings (profit after tax).

The PER can be calculated either on a per-share basis or on the total equity value and total earnings, giving identical results.


Per share:

PER = Current share price ÷ Earnings per share.


On total values:

PER = Total equity value ÷ Total earnings.


For example if Company A's total equity value is $630m and its relevant earnings are $63m,

the PER = $630m/$63m

= 10.


The Price to earnings ratio reflects the market's perception of the risk and the future growth prospects of the company.


PERs can also be used as a very simple estimation or comparison model, for corporate valuation.

In another case, say comparable PERs for an unlisted Company B are 12, and Company B's relevant earnings are $10m.

The total value of Company B's equity can be estimated on this basis as:

12 x $10m

= $120m.


Sometimes written as P/E ratio or PE ratio.

Also known as price earnings ratio.


See also