There wouldn't be many who think easyJet plc's (LON:EZJ) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.4x is worth a mention when the median P/S for the Airlines industry in the United Kingdom is very similar. 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.
View our latest analysis for easyJet
What Does easyJet's P/S Mean For Shareholders?
Recent times have been advantageous for easyJet as its revenues have been rising faster 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 the company manages to stay the course, then investors should be rewarded with a share price that matches its revenue figures.
Keen to find out how analysts think easyJet's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start.What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The P/S?
easyJet's 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.
If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 26%. This great performance means it was also able to deliver immense revenue growth over the last three years. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been superb for the company.
Shifting to the future, estimates from the analysts covering the company suggest revenue should grow by 8.2% per year over the next three years. With the industry predicted to deliver 7.2% growth each year, the company is positioned for a comparable revenue result.
With this in mind, it makes sense that easyJet's P/S is closely matching its industry peers. It seems most investors are expecting to see average future growth and are only willing to pay a moderate amount for the stock.
The Key Takeaway
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.
A easyJet's P/S seems about right to us given the knowledge that analysts are forecasting a revenue outlook that is similar to the Airlines industry. At this stage investors feel the potential for an improvement or deterioration in revenue isn't great enough to push P/S in a higher or lower direction. All things considered, if the P/S and revenue estimates contain no major shocks, then it's hard to see the share price moving strongly in either direction in the near future.
A lot of potential risks can sit within a company's balance sheet. Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis for easyJet with six simple checks on some of these key factors.
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.
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About LSE:EZJ
Excellent balance sheet with acceptable track record.