What Mahindra & Mahindra Limited's (NSE:M&M) P/E Is Not Telling You

There wouldn't be many who think Mahindra & Mahindra Limited's (NSE:M&M) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 29.1x is worth a mention when the median P/E in India is similar at about 28x. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/E ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment.

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With earnings growth that's superior to most other companies of late, Mahindra & Mahindra has been doing relatively well. It might be that many expect the strong earnings performance to wane, which has kept the P/E from rising. If you like the company, you'd be hoping this isn't the case so that you could potentially pick up some stock while it's not quite in favour.

Check out our latest analysis for Mahindra & Mahindra

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How Is Mahindra & Mahindra's Growth Trending?

The only time you'd be comfortable seeing a P/E like Mahindra & Mahindra's is when the company's growth is tracking the market closely.

If we review the last year of earnings growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 24%. The latest three year period has also seen an excellent 64% overall rise in EPS, aided by its short-term performance. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been superb for the company.

Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 5.9% per annum during the coming three years according to the analysts following the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the market is forecast to expand by 19% per year, which is noticeably more attractive.

With this information, we find it interesting that Mahindra & Mahindra is trading at a fairly similar P/E to the market. 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/E falls to levels more in line with the growth outlook.

The Bottom Line On Mahindra & Mahindra's P/E

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.

We've established that Mahindra & Mahindra currently trades on a higher than expected P/E since its forecast growth is lower than the wider market. When we see a weak earnings outlook with slower than market growth, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the moderate P/E lower. This places shareholders' investments at risk and potential investors in danger of paying an unnecessary premium.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Mahindra & Mahindra (at least 1 which is concerning), and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

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.

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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.