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Anam Electronics Co.,Ltd.'s (KRX:008700) 27% Share Price Plunge Could Signal Some Risk
Unfortunately for some shareholders, the Anam Electronics Co.,Ltd. (KRX:008700) share price has dived 27% in the last thirty days, prolonging recent pain. Instead of being rewarded, shareholders who have already held through the last twelve months are now sitting on a 44% share price drop.
In spite of the heavy fall in price, Anam ElectronicsLtd's price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 14.2x might still make it look like a sell right now compared to the market in Korea, where around half of the companies have P/E ratios below 11x and even P/E's below 6x are quite common. However, the P/E might be high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified.
For example, consider that Anam ElectronicsLtd's financial performance has been poor lately as its earnings have been in decline. 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. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.
See our latest analysis for Anam ElectronicsLtd
Does Growth Match The High P/E?
The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as high as Anam ElectronicsLtd's is when the company's growth is on track to outshine the market.
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 31%. This means it has also seen a slide in earnings over the longer-term as EPS is down 32% in total over the last three years. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing earnings over that time.
Comparing that to the market, which is predicted to deliver 31% growth in the next 12 months, the company's downward momentum based on recent medium-term earnings results is a sobering picture.
With this information, we find it concerning that Anam ElectronicsLtd 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
Anam ElectronicsLtd's P/E hasn't come down all the way after its stock plunged. While the price-to-earnings ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of earnings expectations.
We've established that Anam ElectronicsLtd currently trades on a much higher than expected P/E since its recent earnings have been in decline over the medium-term. 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.
You should always think about risks. Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for Anam ElectronicsLtd you should be aware of.
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.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
About KOSE:A008700
Anam ElectronicsLtd
A multimedia company, manufactures and sells audio products in South Korea and internationally.