Stock investors use fundamental analysis to evaluate the financial health and value of a company. This involves examining various ratios that provide insights into a company’s profitability, efficiency, liquidity, leverage, and valuation. These ratios help investors compare different companies within an industry and make informed investment decisions. Here, we discuss seven fundamental ratios commonly used by investors to evaluate stocks in the stock market.

1. Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio):
The P/E ratio is one of the most commonly used ratios by investors. It compares a company’s stock price to its earnings per share (EPS) and indicates how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of the company’s earnings. A high P/E ratio suggests that investors have high expectations for future earnings growth, while a low P/E ratio may indicate undervaluation.

2. Price to Sales Ratio (P/S Ratio):
The P/S ratio compares a company’s market capitalization to its total sales revenue. It provides an alternative valuation measure by considering how much revenue a company generates relative to its market value. A lower P/S ratio may indicate undervaluation, while a higher ratio suggests overvaluation.

3. Price to Book Ratio (P/B Ratio):
The P/B ratio compares a company’s market capitalization to its book value, which is the value of its assets minus liabilities. It measures how much shareholders are willing to pay for each dollar of the company’s net assets. A low P/B ratio may indicate that the market is undervaluing the company, while a high ratio may signify overvaluation.

4. Return on Equity (ROE):
ROE measures a company’s profitability by calculating the net income generated as a percentage of shareholders’ equity. It shows how effectively a company is utilizing shareholder investments to generate profits. A higher ROE suggests better profitability and efficient use of capital.

5. Debt to Equity Ratio (D/E Ratio):
The D/E ratio compares a company’s total debt to its shareholders’ equity. It indicates the proportion of a company’s funding that comes from debt relative to equity. A higher D/E ratio indicates a higher degree of leverage and financial risk. Investors typically prefer companies with a lower D/E ratio, as they are considered financially more stable.

6. Current Ratio:
The current ratio measures a company’s ability to cover its short-term obligations using its short-term assets. It is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. A ratio above 1 indicates that a company has sufficient assets to cover its liabilities, while a ratio below 1 raises concerns about a company’s liquidity.

7. Dividend Yield:
Dividend yield calculates the annual dividend per share relative to the stock price and represents the return on investment from dividends. It is often used by income-oriented investors seeking regular income from their investments. A higher dividend yield may indicate better returns for investors, although it is important to evaluate the sustainability of dividends.

Now let’s move on to the list of questions and answers that provide additional insights into various aspects of stock evaluation:

1. What does a high P/E ratio indicate?
A high P/E ratio suggests that investors have high expectations for a company’s future earnings growth.

2. What does a low P/S ratio signify?
A low P/S ratio may indicate that the market is undervaluing a company, as it generates high revenue relative to its market value.

3. How is the P/B ratio calculated?
The P/B ratio is calculated by dividing a company’s market capitalization by its book value.

4. What does a high ROE signify?
A high ROE suggests that a company is highly profitable and utilizing shareholder investments efficiently.

5. Why is a low D/E ratio preferred by investors?
Investors prefer a low D/E ratio as it indicates a lower degree of financial risk and higher financial stability.

6. How is the current ratio calculated?
The current ratio is calculated by dividing a company’s current assets by its current liabilities.

7. What does a high dividend yield represent?
A high dividend yield indicates a higher return on investment from dividends.

8. What are the advantages of using fundamental ratios?
Fundamental ratios help investors to assess a company’s financial health, profitability, valuation, and efficiency, aiding in making informed investment decisions.

9. How do investors use these ratios for stock comparisons?
Investors can compare ratios of different companies within an industry to identify undervalued or overvalued stocks, leading to potential investment opportunities.

10. Should investors consider only one ratio or multiple ratios for stock evaluation?
Investors should consider multiple ratios since each ratio provides a different perspective on a company’s financials.

11. What other factors should investors consider alongside these ratios?
Investors should also analyze a company’s competitive positioning, management quality, growth prospects, and industry trends to make a comprehensive evaluation.

12. How do analysts use these ratios for stock recommendations?
Analysts consider these ratios along with qualitative factors to determine an appropriate valuation and make stock recommendations.

13. Are these ratios applicable to all industries?
Some ratios may be more suitable for certain industries than others, such as P/S ratio for retail or P/E ratio for technology companies. Investors must consider industry-specific characteristics.

14. Can these ratios alone predict future stock performance?
These ratios are useful tools for evaluating stocks, but they cannot guarantee future stock performance. Additional research is crucial for a comprehensive analysis.

15. How often should investors monitor these ratios?
Investors should monitor ratios periodically, preferably quarterly or annually, to assess changes in a company’s financial position and make appropriate investment decisions.

16. Do these ratios account for qualitative factors like management quality?
These ratios provide a quantitative analysis of a company’s financials. Qualitative factors, such as management quality, must be evaluated separately.

17. Can these ratios be used for international stock evaluation?
These ratios can be used for evaluating international stocks; however, adjustments for accounting and regulatory differences may be necessary.

18. What are the limitations of using fundamental ratios?
Fundamental ratios can oversimplify complex financial factors and may not capture the full picture of a company’s financial health or potential risks.

19. Should investors rely solely on these ratios for investment decisions?
Investors should not solely rely on these ratios and must consider other factors, such as market trends, macroeconomic conditions, and geopolitical risks.

20. Can these ratios help identify undervalued stocks for long-term investments?
Yes, analyzing these ratios can help investors identify undervalued stocks with growth potential for long-term investment strategies.