With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 42.3x Jash Engineering Limited (NSE:JASH) may be sending bearish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in India have P/E ratios under 33x and even P/E's lower than 19x are not unusual. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's as high as it is.
Earnings have risen firmly for Jash Engineering recently, which is pleasing to see. It might be that many expect the respectable earnings performance to beat most other companies over the coming period, which has increased investors’ willingness to pay up for the stock. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.
See our latest analysis for Jash Engineering
Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on Jash Engineering will help you shine a light on its historical performance.The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as high as Jash Engineering's is when the company's growth is on track to outshine the market.
If we review the last year of earnings growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 28%. Pleasingly, EPS has also lifted 115% in aggregate from three years ago, thanks to the last 12 months of growth. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been superb for the company.
Weighing that recent medium-term earnings trajectory against the broader market's one-year forecast for expansion of 26% shows it's noticeably more attractive on an annualised basis.
In light of this, it's understandable that Jash Engineering's P/E sits above the majority of other companies. It seems most investors are expecting this strong growth to continue and are willing to pay more for the stock.
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 Jash Engineering maintains its high P/E on the strength of its recent three-year growth being higher than the wider market forecast, as expected. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/E as they are quite confident earnings aren't under threat. If recent medium-term earnings trends continue, it's hard to see the share price falling strongly in the near future under these circumstances.
Don't forget that there may be other risks. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Jash Engineering that you should be aware of.
You might be able to find a better investment than Jash Engineering. 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).
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.