Earnings Not Telling The Story For Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (SZSE:002823) After Shares Rise 37%

Those holding Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (SZSE:002823) shares would be relieved that the share price has rebounded 37% in the last thirty days, but it needs to keep going to repair the recent damage it has caused to investor portfolios. But the gains over the last month weren't enough to make shareholders whole, as the share price is still down 6.9% in the last twelve months.

After such a large jump in price, Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology's price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 76.9x might make it look like a strong sell right now compared to the market in China, where around half of the companies have P/E ratios below 29x and even P/E's below 18x are quite common. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's so lofty.

For example, consider that Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology's financial performance has been poor lately as its earnings have been in decline. It might be that many expect the company to still outplay most other companies over the coming period, which has kept the P/E from collapsing. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.

See our latest analysis for Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology

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

Is There Enough Growth For Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as steep as Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology's is when the company's growth is on track to outshine the market decidedly.

Taking a look back first, the company's earnings per share growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 6.5%. As a result, earnings from three years ago have also fallen 68% overall. Accordingly, shareholders would have felt downbeat about the medium-term rates of earnings growth.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the market is expected to grow by 41% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term earnings decline into perspective.

With this information, we find it concerning that Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology is trading at a P/E higher than the market. It seems most investors are ignoring the recent poor growth rate and are hoping for a turnaround in the company's business prospects. There's a very good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/E falls to levels more in line with the recent negative growth rates.

The Bottom Line On Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology's P/E

Shares in Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology have built up some good momentum lately, which has really inflated its P/E. We'd say the price-to-earnings ratio's power isn't primarily as a valuation instrument but rather to gauge current investor sentiment and future expectations.

Our examination of Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology revealed its shrinking earnings over the medium-term aren't impacting its high P/E anywhere near as much as we would have predicted, given the market is set to grow. Right now we are increasingly uncomfortable with the high P/E as this earnings performance is highly unlikely to support such positive sentiment for long. If recent medium-term earnings trends continue, it will place shareholders' investments at significant risk and potential investors in danger of paying an excessive premium.

Before you settle on your opinion, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Shenzhen Kaizhong Precision Technology (2 are potentially serious!) that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with a strong growth track record, trading on a low P/E.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

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.