What Energy Technologies Limited's (ASX:EGY) P/S Is Not Telling You

There wouldn't be many who think Energy Technologies Limited's (ASX:EGY) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 1x is worth a mention when the median P/S for the Electrical industry in Australia is similar at about 1.1x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.

Check out our latest analysis for Energy Technologies

What Does Energy Technologies' Recent Performance Look Like?

Revenue has risen firmly for Energy Technologies recently, which is pleasing to see. Perhaps the market is expecting future revenue performance to only keep up with the broader industry, which has keeping the P/S in line with expectations. If that doesn't eventuate, then existing shareholders probably aren't too pessimistic about the future direction of the share price.

Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on Energy Technologies will help you shine a light on its historical performance.

How Is Energy Technologies' Revenue Growth Trending?

Energy Technologies' P/S ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver moderate growth, and importantly, perform in line with the industry.

Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew revenue by an impressive 24% last year. The strong recent performance means it was also able to grow revenue by 53% in total over the last three years. So we can start by confirming that the company has done a great job of growing revenue over that time.

Comparing the recent medium-term revenue trends against the industry's one-year growth forecast of 20% shows it's noticeably less attractive.

With this information, we find it interesting that Energy Technologies is trading at a fairly similar P/S compared to the industry. Apparently many investors in the company are less bearish than recent times would indicate and aren't willing to let go of their stock right now. They may be setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/S falls to levels more in line with recent growth rates.

The Final Word

While the price-to-sales ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of revenue expectations.

Our examination of Energy Technologies revealed its poor three-year revenue trends aren't resulting in a lower P/S as per our expectations, given they look worse than current industry outlook. When we see weak revenue with slower than industry growth, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, bringing the P/S back in line with expectations. Unless the recent medium-term conditions improve, it's hard to accept the current share price as fair value.

It is also worth noting that we have found 5 warning signs for Energy Technologies (4 are potentially serious!) that you need to take into consideration.

If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.