Vaibhav Global Limited's (NSE:VAIBHAVGBL) 31% Dip Still Leaving Some Shareholders Feeling Restless Over Its P/ERatio

Vaibhav Global Limited (NSE:VAIBHAVGBL) shareholders that were waiting for something to happen have been dealt a blow with a 31% share price drop in the last month. The recent drop has obliterated the annual return, with the share price now down 7.3% over that longer period.

Although its price has dipped substantially, Vaibhav Global may still be sending bearish signals at the moment with its price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 36x, since almost half of all companies in India have P/E ratios under 30x and even P/E's lower than 17x are not unusual. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's as high as it is.

Vaibhav Global has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing earnings at a solid pace. It might be that many expect the respectable earnings performance to beat most other companies over the coming period, which has increased investors’ willingness to pay up for the stock. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.

Check out our latest analysis for Vaibhav Global

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

Does Growth Match The High P/E?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should outperform the market for P/E ratios like Vaibhav Global's to be considered reasonable.

If we review the last year of earnings growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 21%. However, this wasn't enough as the latest three year period has seen a very unpleasant 54% drop in EPS in aggregate. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been undesirable for the company.

Comparing that to the market, which is predicted to deliver 25% growth in the next 12 months, the company's downward momentum based on recent medium-term earnings results is a sobering picture.

In light of this, it's alarming that Vaibhav Global's P/E sits above the majority of other companies. It seems most investors are ignoring the recent poor growth rate and are hoping for a turnaround in the company's business prospects. Only the boldest would assume these prices are sustainable as a continuation of recent earnings trends is likely to weigh heavily on the share price eventually.

The Final Word

Vaibhav Global's P/E hasn't come down all the way after its stock plunged. 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 Vaibhav Global 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. When we see earnings heading backwards and underperforming the market forecasts, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the high P/E lower. 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 2 warning signs for Vaibhav Global (1 can't be ignored!) 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.

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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.