With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 32.8x AirTAC International Group (TWSE:1590) may be sending very bearish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in Taiwan have P/E ratios under 21x and even P/E's lower than 15x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be quite high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified.
Recent times have been pleasing for AirTAC International Group as its earnings have risen in spite of the market's earnings going into reverse. It seems that many are expecting the company to continue defying the broader market adversity, which has increased investors’ willingness to pay up for the stock. If not, then existing shareholders might be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.
See our latest analysis for AirTAC International Group
Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on AirTAC International Group will help you uncover what's on the horizon.How Is AirTAC International Group's Growth Trending?
There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the market for P/E ratios like AirTAC International Group's to be considered reasonable.
Retrospectively, the last year delivered a decent 5.1% gain to the company's bottom line. This was backed up an excellent period prior to see EPS up by 53% in total over the last three years. Accordingly, shareholders would have probably welcomed those medium-term rates of earnings growth.
Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 20% each year during the coming three years according to the analysts following the company. With the market only predicted to deliver 13% each year, the company is positioned for a stronger earnings result.
With this information, we can see why AirTAC International Group is trading at such a high P/E compared to the market. It seems most investors are expecting this strong future growth and are willing to pay more for the stock.
The Bottom Line On AirTAC International Group's P/E
We'd say the price-to-earnings ratio's power isn't primarily as a valuation instrument but rather to gauge current investor sentiment and future expectations.
We've established that AirTAC International Group maintains its high P/E on the strength of its forecast growth being higher than the wider market, as expected. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/E as they are quite confident future earnings aren't under threat. It's hard to see the share price falling strongly in the near future under these circumstances.
A lot of potential risks can sit within a company's balance sheet. You can assess many of the main risks through our free balance sheet analysis for AirTAC International Group with six simple checks.
You might be able to find a better investment than AirTAC International Group. If you want a selection of possible candidates, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).
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.
About TWSE:1590
Airtac International Group
Manufactures and sells pneumatic control components worldwide.
Flawless balance sheet, good value and pays a dividend.