Hanwha Solutions Corporation (KRX:009830) Stock Rockets 29% As Investors Are Less Pessimistic Than Expected

Hanwha Solutions Corporation (KRX:009830) shareholders would be excited to see that the share price has had a great month, posting a 29% gain and recovering from prior weakness. Unfortunately, the gains of the last month did little to right the losses of the last year with the stock still down 35% over that time.

In spite of the firm bounce in price, there still wouldn't be many who think Hanwha Solutions' price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.3x is worth a mention when the median P/S in Korea's Chemicals industry is similar at about 0.6x. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/S ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment.

Check out our latest analysis for Hanwha Solutions

What Does Hanwha Solutions' P/S Mean For Shareholders?

Recent times haven't been great for Hanwha Solutions as its revenue has been falling quicker than most other companies. One possibility is that the P/S is moderate because investors think the company's revenue trend will eventually fall in line with most others in the industry. You'd much rather the company improve its revenue if you still believe in the business. Or at the very least, you'd be hoping it doesn't keep underperforming if your plan is to pick up some stock while it's not in favour.

Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on Hanwha Solutions will help you uncover what's on the horizon.

Is There Some Revenue Growth Forecasted For Hanwha Solutions?

Hanwha Solutions' 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.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 10% decrease to the company's top line. That put a dampener on the good run it was having over the longer-term as its three-year revenue growth is still a noteworthy 14% in total. Although it's been a bumpy ride, it's still fair to say the revenue growth recently has been mostly respectable for the company.

Looking ahead now, revenue is anticipated to climb by 5.7% during the coming year according to the analysts following the company. With the industry predicted to deliver 16% growth, the company is positioned for a weaker revenue result.

In light of this, it's curious that Hanwha Solutions' P/S sits in line with the majority of other companies. 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/S falls to levels more in line with the growth outlook.

The Final Word

Its shares have lifted substantially and now Hanwha Solutions' P/S is back within range of the industry median. It's argued the price-to-sales ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator.

When you consider that Hanwha Solutions' revenue growth estimates are fairly muted compared to the broader industry, it's easy to see why we consider it unexpected to be trading at its current P/S ratio. At present, we aren't confident in the P/S as the predicted future revenues aren't likely to support a more positive sentiment for long. 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 Hanwha Solutions, and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

If companies with solid past earnings growth is up your alley, you may wish to see this free collection of other companies with strong earnings growth and low P/E ratios.

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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.