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Simple English definitions for legal terms
price-earnings ratio
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A quick definition of price-earnings ratio:
Price-earnings ratio: This is a way to measure how much a company's stock is worth compared to how much money the company makes. It's like looking at the price of a toy and how much allowance you get in a week. If the toy costs a lot more than what you make in a week, it might not be a good buy. The same goes for stocks. If a stock's price is a lot higher than the company's earnings, it might not be a good investment.
A more thorough explanation:
The price-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) is a financial metric used to evaluate a company's stock price. It is calculated by dividing the current market price of a stock by the earnings per share (EPS) of the company over the last year.
For example, if a company's stock is currently trading at $50 per share and its EPS for the last year was $5, then the P/E ratio would be 10 ($50/$5).
The P/E ratio is often used by investors to determine whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued. A high P/E ratio may indicate that a stock is overpriced, while a low P/E ratio may suggest that a stock is undervalued.
However, it is important to note that the P/E ratio should not be used as the sole indicator of a stock's value. Other factors, such as the company's financial health, growth potential, and industry trends, should also be considered.
Overall, the P/E ratio is a useful tool for investors to evaluate a company's stock price and make informed investment decisions.