Yahoo Finance Here's What C-Com Satellite Systems Inc.'s (CVE:CMI) P/E Is Telling Us
The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll apply a basic P/E ratio analysis to C-Com Satellite Systems Inc.'s (CVE:CMI), to help you decide if the stock is worth further research. C-Com Satellite Systems has a price to earnings ratio of 36.89, based on the last twelve months. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 2.7%.
See our latest analysis for C-Com Satellite Systems
How Do I Calculate A Price To Earnings Ratio?
The formula for price to earnings is:
Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share ÷ Earnings per Share (EPS)
Or for C-Com Satellite Systems:
P/E of 36.89 = CA$1.68 ÷ CA$0.05 (Based on the trailing twelve months to August 2019.)
Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good?
The higher the P/E ratio, the higher the price tag of a business, relative to its trailing earnings. All else being equal, it's better to pay a low price -- but as Warren Buffett said, 'It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price'.
Does C-Com Satellite Systems Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry?
The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. The image below shows that C-Com Satellite Systems has a P/E ratio that is roughly in line with the communications industry average (36.9).
C-Com Satellite Systems's P/E tells us that market participants think its prospects are roughly in line with its industry. So if C-Com Satellite Systems actually outperforms its peers going forward, that should be a positive for the share price. Checking factors such as director buying and selling. could help you form your own view on if that will happen.
How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios
Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. Earnings growth means that in the future the 'E' will be higher. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases.
C-Com Satellite Systems saw earnings per share decrease by 1.1% last year. But EPS is up 29% over the last 3 years. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 11% per year over the last five years. So you wouldn't expect a very high P/E.
A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank
It's important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. That means it doesn't take debt or cash into account. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash).
Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof).
Is Debt Impacting C-Com Satellite Systems's P/E?
C-Com Satellite Systems has net cash of CA$14m. This is fairly high at 22% of its market capitalization. That might mean balance sheet strength is important to the business, but should also help push the P/E a bit higher than it would otherwise be.
The Verdict On C-Com Satellite Systems's P/E Ratio
C-Com Satellite Systems trades on a P/E ratio of 36.9, which is above its market average of 15.9. The recent drop in earnings per share might keep value investors away, but the healthy balance sheet means the company retains potential for future growth. If fails to eventuate, the current high P/E could prove to be temporary, as the share price falls.
Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. People often underestimate remarkable growth -- so investors can make money when fast growth is not fully appreciated. We don't have analyst forecasts, but you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow.
Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20.
If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned.
We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading.
