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Why Core Laboratories N.V.'s (NYSE:CLB) High P/E Ratio Isn't Necessarily A Bad Thing

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Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. We'll apply a basic P/E ratio analysis to Core Laboratories N.V.'s (NYSE:CLB), to help you decide if the stock is worth further research. Core Laboratories has a price to earnings ratio of 25.07, based on the last twelve months. That means that at current prices, buyers pay $25.07 for every $1 in trailing yearly profits.

Check out our latest analysis for Core Laboratories

How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?

The formula for P/E is:

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Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Ă· Earnings per Share (EPS)

Or for Core Laboratories:

P/E of 25.07 = $54.37 Ă· $2.17 (Based on the year to March 2019.)

Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good?

A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E.

How Does Core Laboratories's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers?

The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. You can see in the image below that the average P/E (20.5) for companies in the energy services industry is lower than Core Laboratories's P/E.

NYSE:CLB Price Estimation Relative to Market, July 15th 2019
NYSE:CLB Price Estimation Relative to Market, July 15th 2019

That means that the market expects Core Laboratories will outperform other companies in its industry. Shareholders are clearly optimistic, but the future is always uncertain. So investors should always consider the P/E ratio alongside other factors, such as whether company directors have been buying shares.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

When earnings fall, the 'E' decreases, over time. That means even if the current P/E is low, it will increase over time if the share price stays flat. Then, a higher P/E might scare off shareholders, pushing the share price down.

Most would be impressed by Core Laboratories earnings growth of 10% in the last year. But earnings per share are down 17% per year over the last five years.

Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits

It's important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. Hypothetically, a company could reduce its future P/E ratio by spending its cash (or taking on debt) to achieve higher earnings.

While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores.

Is Debt Impacting Core Laboratories's P/E?

Net debt totals 12% of Core Laboratories's market cap. It would probably deserve a higher P/E ratio if it was net cash, since it would have more options for growth.

The Bottom Line On Core Laboratories's P/E Ratio

Core Laboratories's P/E is 25.1 which is above average (18) in its market. Its debt levels do not imperil its balance sheet and it is growing EPS strongly. Therefore, it's not particularly surprising that it has a above average P/E ratio.

Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. So this free visualization of the analyst consensus on future earnings could help you make the right decision about whether to buy, sell, or hold.

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.

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.

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. Thank you for reading.