Some Confidence Is Lacking In Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (SZSE:301270) As Shares Slide 26%

The Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (SZSE:301270) share price has fared very poorly over the last month, falling by a substantial 26%. The drop over the last 30 days has capped off a tough year for shareholders, with the share price down 45% in that time.

Even after such a large drop in price, Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology may still be sending very bearish signals at the moment with a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 57.8x, since almost half of all companies in China have P/E ratios under 29x and even P/E's lower than 18x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be quite high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified.

For instance, Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology's receding earnings in recent times would have to be some food for thought. One possibility is that the P/E is high because investors think the company will still do enough to outperform the broader market in the near future. If not, then existing shareholders may be quite nervous about the viability of the share price.

Check out our latest analysis for Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology

We don't have analyst forecasts, but you can see how recent trends are setting up the company for the future by checking out our free report on Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

How Is Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology's Growth Trending?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the market for P/E ratios like Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology's to be considered reasonable.

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 39%. The last three years don't look nice either as the company has shrunk EPS by 40% in aggregate. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing earnings over that time.

Weighing that medium-term earnings trajectory against the broader market's one-year forecast for expansion of 36% shows it's an unpleasant look.

With this information, we find it concerning that Beijing Hanyi Innovation 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 Final Word

Even after such a strong price drop, Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology's P/E still exceeds the rest of the market significantly. It's argued the price-to-earnings ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator.

Our examination of Beijing Hanyi Innovation 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.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Beijing Hanyi Innovation Technology, and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a low P/E).

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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.