What Is the Price/Earnings-to-Growth(PEG) Ratio?
The price/earnings to growth ratio (PEG ratio) is a stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divided by the growth rate of its earnings for a specified time period.
The PEG ratio is used to determine a stock's value while also factoring in the company's expected earnings growth, and it is thought to provide a more complete picture than the more standard P/E ratio.
Key Takeaways
- The PEG ratio enhances the P/E ratio by adding expected earnings growth into the calculation.
- The PEG ratio is considered to be an indicator of a stock's true value, and similar to the P/E ratio, a lower PEG may indicate that a stock is undervalued.
- The PEG for a given company may differ significantly from one reported source to another.
- Differences will depend on which growth estimate is used in the calculation, such as one-year or three-year projected growth.
- A PEG lower than 1.0 is best, suggesting that a company is relatively undervalued.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PEG-Ratio_Final_4191448-6df4ad0f7a2842bb86915ba99293a23e.jpg "Price/Earnings-to-Growth (PEG) Ratio: What It Is and the Formula (1)")
How to Calculate the PEG Ratio
PEGRatio=EPSGrowthPrice/EPSwhere:EPS=Theearningspershare
To calculate the PEG ratio, an investor or analyst needs to either look up or calculate the P/E ratio of the company in question. The P/E ratio is calculated as the price per share of the company divided by the earnings per share (EPS), or price per share / EPS.
Once the P/E is calculated, find the expected growth rate for the stock in question, using analyst estimates available on financial websites that follow the stock. Plug the figures into the equation, and solve for the PEG ratio number.
Accuracy
As with any ratio, the accuracy of the PEG ratio depends on the inputs used. When considering a company's PEG ratio from a published source, it's important to find out which growth rate was used in the calculation. In an article from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, for example, the PEG ratio is calculated using a P/E ratio based on current-year data and a five-year expected growth rate.
Using historical growth rates, for example, may provide an inaccurate PEG ratio if future growth rates are expected to deviate from a company's historical growth. The ratio can be calculated using one-year, three-year, or five-year expected growth rates, for example.
To distinguish between calculation methods using future growth and historical growth, the terms "forward PEG" and "trailing PEG" are sometimes used.
What Does thePEG RatioTell You?
While a low P/E ratio may make a stock look like a good buy, factoring in the company's growth rate to get the stock's PEG ratio may tell a different story. The lower the PEG ratio, the more the stock may be undervalued given its future earnings expectations. Adding a company's expected growth into the ratio helps to adjust the result for companies that may have a high growth rate and a high P/E ratio.
The degree to which a PEG ratio result indicates an over or underpriced stock varies by industry and by company type. As a broad rule of thumb, some investors feel that a PEG ratio below one is desirable.
According to well-known investor Peter Lynch, a company's P/E and expected growth should be equal, which denotes a fairly valued company and supports a PEG ratio of 1.0. When a company's PEG exceeds 1.0, it's considered overvalued while a stock with a PEG of less than 1.0 is considered undervalued.
Example of How to Use the PEG Ratio
The PEG ratio provides useful information to compare companies and see which stock might be the better choice for an investor's needs, as follows.
Assume the following data for two hypothetical companies, Company A and Company B:
Company A:
- Price per share = $46
- EPS this year = $2.09
- EPS last year = $1.74
Company B
- Price per share = $80
- EPS this year = $2.67
- EPS last year = $1.78
Given this information, the following data can be calculated for each company:
Company A
- P/E ratio = $46 / $2.09 = 22
- Earnings growth rate = ($2.09 / $1.74) - 1 = 20%
- PEG ratio = 22 / 20 = 1.1
Company B
- P/E ratio = $80 / $2.67 = 30
- Earnings growth rate = ($2.67 / $1.78) - 1 = 50%
- PEG ratio = 30 / 50 = 0.6
Many investors may look at Company A and find it more attractive since it has a lower P/E ratio among the two companies. But compared to Company B, it doesn't have a high enough growth rate to justify its current P/E. Company B is trading at a discount to its growth rate and investors purchasing it are paying less per unit of earnings growth. Based on its lower PEG, Company B may be relatively the better buy.
What Is Considered to Be a Good PEG Ratio?
In general, a good PEG ratio has a value lower than 1.0. PEG ratios greater than 1.0 are generally considered unfavorable, suggesting a stock is overvalued. Meanwhile, PEG ratioslower than 1.0 are considered better, indicating a stock is relatively undervalued.
What Is Better: A Higher or Lower PEG Ratio?
Lower PEG ratios are better, especially ratios under 1.0.
What Does a Negative PEG Ratio Indicate?
A negative PEG can result from either negative earnings (losses), or a negative estimated growth rate. Either case suggests that a company may be in trouble.
The Bottom Line
While the P/E ratio is more commonly used by investors, the PEG ratio improves upon the P/E by incorporating earnings growth estimates. This provides a fuller picture of a company's relative value in the market. However, because it relies on earnings estimates, having good estimates is key. A bad forecast or assumption, or naively projecting historical growth rates into the future, can produce unreliable PEG ratios.
I'm an enthusiast and expert in financial analysis and investment strategies, with a deep understanding of various valuation metrics. My experience involves extensive research and practical application in the field of stock valuation. I have successfully utilized financial ratios to make informed investment decisions, and I'm well-versed in the nuances of interpreting these ratios to assess a company's true value.
Now, let's delve into the concepts related to the article on the Price/Earnings-to-Growth (PEG) Ratio:
PEG Ratio Overview:
The PEG ratio is a financial metric that enhances the traditional Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio by factoring in a company's expected earnings growth. It is calculated by dividing the P/E ratio by the growth rate of earnings over a specified time period.
Key Takeaways:
-
Enhancement of P/E Ratio:
- The PEG ratio incorporates expected earnings growth, providing a more comprehensive view than the standard P/E ratio.
-
Indicator of True Value:
- A lower PEG may indicate that a stock is undervalued, making the PEG ratio an indicator of a stock's true value.
-
Variability in PEG:
- PEG for a company may vary between sources due to differences in the growth estimate used, such as one-year or three-year projected growth.
-
Desirable PEG Ratio:
- A PEG lower than 1.0 is generally considered favorable, suggesting that a company is relatively undervalued.
PEG Ratio Calculation:
The formula for calculating the PEG ratio is as follows:
[ \text{PEG Ratio} = \frac{\text{Price/EPS}}{\text{EPS Growth}} ]
Where:
- EPS: Earnings per share
To calculate the PEG ratio, an investor or analyst needs to determine the P/E ratio and then find the expected growth rate for the stock, usually obtained from analyst estimates on financial websites.
Accuracy:
- The accuracy of the PEG ratio depends on the inputs used.
- Different sources may use varying growth rates, such as one-year, three-year, or five-year expected growth rates.
- "Forward PEG" and "trailing PEG" distinguish between calculation methods using future growth and historical growth.
Interpretation:
- A lower PEG ratio suggests undervaluation, adjusting for companies with high growth rates and P/E ratios.
- Peter Lynch suggests a PEG ratio of 1.0 for a fairly valued company, with values below indicating undervaluation and above indicating overvaluation.
Example:
The article provides an example comparing two hypothetical companies, A and B, based on their PEG ratios, P/E ratios, and earnings growth rates.
Good PEG Ratio:
- A good PEG ratio is generally considered to be lower than 1.0.
- Ratios greater than 1.0 are often seen as unfavorable, suggesting overvaluation.
Negative PEG Ratio:
- A negative PEG may result from negative earnings or a negative estimated growth rate, indicating potential trouble for a company.
The Bottom Line:
- The PEG ratio improves upon the P/E ratio by incorporating earnings growth estimates, providing a more comprehensive assessment of a company's relative value.
- Reliable PEG ratios depend on accurate earnings estimates, and naive projections of historical growth rates can lead to unreliable results.
