Some MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MRM) Shareholders Look For Exit As Shares Take 41% Pounding

MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MRM) shares have had a horrible month, losing 41% after a relatively good period beforehand. Instead of being rewarded, shareholders who have already held through the last twelve months are now sitting on a 43% share price drop.

Even after such a large drop in price, MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies may still be sending bearish signals at the moment with its price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 21x, since almost half of all companies in the United States have P/E ratios under 17x and even P/E's lower than 10x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified.

For instance, MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies' receding earnings in recent times would have to be some food for thought. It might be that many expect the company to still outplay most other companies over the coming period, which has kept the P/E from collapsing. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.

Check out our latest analysis for MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies

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

What Are Growth Metrics Telling Us About The High P/E?

MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies' P/E ratio would be typical for a company that's expected to deliver solid growth, and importantly, perform better than 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 23%. Unfortunately, that's brought it right back to where it started three years ago with EPS growth being virtually non-existent overall during that time. Accordingly, shareholders probably wouldn't have been overly satisfied with the unstable medium-term growth rates.

Weighing that recent medium-term earnings trajectory against the broader market's one-year forecast for expansion of 15% shows it's noticeably less attractive on an annualised basis.

In light of this, it's alarming that MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies' P/E sits above the majority of other companies. Apparently many investors in the company are way more bullish than recent times would indicate and aren't willing to let go of their stock at any price. There's a good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/E falls to levels more in line with recent growth rates.

The Bottom Line On MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies' P/E

Despite the recent share price weakness, MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies' P/E remains higher than most other companies. 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 MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies currently trades on a much higher than expected P/E since its recent three-year growth is lower than the wider market forecast. When we see weak earnings with slower than market growth, 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 4 warning signs for MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies you should be aware of, and 3 of them are a bit unpleasant.

You might be able to find a better investment than MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies. 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).

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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.