What You Can Learn From AI inside Inc.'s (TSE:4488) P/S After Its 29% Share Price Crash
Unfortunately for some shareholders, the AI inside Inc. (TSE:4488) share price has dived 29% in the last thirty days, prolonging recent pain. The drop over the last 30 days has capped off a tough year for shareholders, with the share price down 24% in that time.
Although its price has dipped substantially, you could still be forgiven for thinking AI inside is a stock not worth researching with a price-to-sales ratios (or "P/S") of 3.2x, considering almost half the companies in Japan's Software industry have P/S ratios below 1.8x. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/S at face value as there may be an explanation why it's as high as it is.
See our latest analysis for AI inside
What Does AI inside's P/S Mean For Shareholders?
Recent times haven't been great for AI inside as its revenue has been rising slower than most other companies. It might be that many expect the uninspiring revenue performance to recover significantly, which has kept the P/S ratio from collapsing. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.
Keen to find out how analysts think AI inside'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 High P/S?
In order to justify its P/S ratio, AI inside would need to produce impressive growth in excess of the industry.
Taking a look back first, we see that the company managed to grow revenues by a handy 10% last year. Ultimately though, it couldn't turn around the poor performance of the prior period, with revenue shrinking 8.9% in total over the last three years. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been undesirable for the company.
Looking ahead now, revenue is anticipated to climb by 18% per year during the coming three years according to the lone analyst following the company. With the industry only predicted to deliver 13% per annum, the company is positioned for a stronger revenue result.
With this in mind, it's not hard to understand why AI inside's P/S is high relative to its industry peers. Apparently shareholders aren't keen to offload something that is potentially eyeing a more prosperous future.
The Final Word
There's still some elevation in AI inside's P/S, even if the same can't be said for its share price recently. Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.
As we suspected, our examination of AI inside's analyst forecasts revealed that its superior revenue outlook is contributing to its high P/S. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/S as they are quite confident future revenues aren't under threat. Unless the analysts have really missed the mark, these strong revenue forecasts should keep the share price buoyant.
Before you take the next step, you should know about the 3 warning signs for AI inside that we have uncovered.
If you're unsure about the strength of AI inside's business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed.
New: Manage All Your Stock Portfolios in One Place
We've created the ultimate portfolio companion for stock investors, and it's free.
• Connect an unlimited number of Portfolios and see your total in one currency
• Be alerted to new Warning Signs or Risks via email or mobile
• Track the Fair Value of your stocks
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.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
About TSE:4488
AI inside
Develops and provides artificial intelligence and related information services in Japan.
Excellent balance sheet with limited growth.