SenSen Networks Limited's (ASX:SNS) 25% Dip Still Leaving Some Shareholders Feeling Restless Over Its P/SRatio

The SenSen Networks Limited (ASX:SNS) share price has softened a substantial 25% over the previous 30 days, handing back much of the gains the stock has made lately. Of course, over the longer-term many would still wish they owned shares as the stock's price has soared 122% in the last twelve months.

In spite of the heavy fall in price, it's still not a stretch to say that SenSen Networks' price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 4.4x right now seems quite "middle-of-the-road" compared to the Software industry in Australia, where the median P/S ratio is around 3.7x. Although, it's not wise to simply ignore the P/S without explanation as investors may be disregarding a distinct opportunity or a costly mistake.

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See our latest analysis for SenSen Networks

What Does SenSen Networks' Recent Performance Look Like?

SenSen Networks certainly has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing revenue more than most other companies. One possibility is that the P/S ratio is moderate because investors think this strong revenue performance might be about to tail off. If not, then existing shareholders have reason to be feeling optimistic about the future direction of the share price.

If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report on SenSen Networks.

Do Revenue Forecasts Match The P/S Ratio?

SenSen Networks' 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.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered an exceptional 26% gain to the company's top line. Pleasingly, revenue has also lifted 68% in aggregate from three years ago, thanks to the last 12 months of growth. So we can start by confirming that the company has done a great job of growing revenue over that time.

Turning to the outlook, the next three years should generate growth of 18% per annum as estimated by the only analyst watching the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry is forecast to expand by 65% per annum, which is noticeably more attractive.

With this in mind, we find it intriguing that SenSen Networks' P/S is closely matching its industry peers. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly limited growth expectations and are willing to pay up for exposure to the stock. These shareholders may be setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/S falls to levels more in line with the growth outlook.

The Key Takeaway

SenSen Networks' plummeting stock price has brought its P/S back to a similar region as the rest of the industry. Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.

Given that SenSen Networks' revenue growth projections are relatively subdued in comparison to the wider industry, it comes as a surprise to see it trading at its current P/S ratio. When we see companies with a relatively weaker revenue outlook compared to the industry, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the moderate P/S lower. A positive change is needed in order to justify the current price-to-sales ratio.

Before you take the next step, you should know about the 2 warning signs for SenSen Networks that we have uncovered.

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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.