How useful is the P/E ratio in assessing ASX shares?

Here are some do's and don'ts when it comes to using the popular metric, the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, to assess ASX shares.

questioning whether asx share price is a buy represented by man in red shirt scratching his head

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is one of the most oft-quoted statistics in the world of investing, usually coming after an ASX share's price, and perhaps its market capitalisation.

This is justified to an extent – the P/E ratio can be a very useful metric to examine when you're deciding whether to invest in a particular company. But it can also be misleading. So let's look at some ways to use the P/E ratio, and when you shouldn't.

P/E ratios: An introduction

So let's first examine exactly what the P/E ratio tells us. The ratio represents the relationship between a company's annual earnings, measured by its earnings per share (EPS), to its market capitalisation, measured by the share price. A company with a high P/E ratio will have lower earnings compared with its market capitalisation than a company with a low P/E ratio.

Let's look at an example. So Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) reported an earnings per share metric of 73.3 cents for FY2020 back in August. That means the company brought in 73.3 cents in earnings for every share outstanding. So at the time of writing, the Coles share price is trading at $18.35. If we divide $18.35 (the price) by 0.733 (the earnings), we get a P/E ratio of 25.03.

How do we use this ratio?

The P/E ratio can be especially useful for comparing different companies within the same sector, or comparing a company to the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). A dollar of earnings is a consistent metric (since every dollar is worth the same value across all companies).

Thus, since Coles has a P/E ratio of 25.03, and its rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) currently has a P/E ratio of 43.66, we can say that the market is valuing each dollar that Woolworths earns at a higher rate than Coles'. In other words, the market is placing a premium on Woolies' shares (why the market is choosing to do this is a whole other discussion!).

The ratio can be useful from a broad market perspective too. Right now, the ASX 200 Index has an average P/E ratio of 22.73, according to BlackRock. Thus, we can also say that investors are placing a higher premium on both Coles and Woolworths when compared to the entire index.

When is the P/E ratio not so useful?

Looking at the P/E ratio alone, however, is not a sound investment strategy. Investors tend to price different sectors according to their earnings risk. For example, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) currently has a P/E ratio of just 11.2, despite the company being at record highs. This could possibly reflect the fact the market is unwilling to pay a premium for an iron ore miner that is subject to the whims of the commodity markets (read low long-term earnings certainty).

Also, the P/E ratio is almost useless for valuing companies that don't yet have earnings or which reinvest revenues aggressively for more growth. As an example, Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) doesn't even have a P/E ratio yet because it chooses to reinvest its revenues into the business, rather than banking them as earnings.

And many investors are choosing to buy Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) shares right now due to the company's massive growth, despite a technical P/E ratio of a whopping 641. If Xero simply switched from reinvesting its revenues to banking earnings, its P/E ratio would come back closer to Earth.

Foolish takeaway

The P/E ratio is a great metric, and a highly useful one in certain situations. But it possibly doesn't deserve the prominence it has among parts of the investing community. Its lack of universal application and potential for creating misleading impressions of a company mean it should be carefully regarded in conjunction with plenty of other data and research.

Should you invest $1,000 in Aussie Broadband Limited right now?

Before you buy Aussie Broadband Limited shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Aussie Broadband Limited wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO, COLESGROUP DEF SET, and Woolworths Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on How to invest

A businesswoman weighs up the stack of cash she receives, with the pile in one hand significantly more than the other hand.
How to invest

How I'd build a $20,000 annual passive income stream from these top ASX 200 shares

To earn $20,000 a year in passive income, I’d start with these three ASX 200 shares.

Read more »

a smiling picture of legendary US investment guru Warren Buffett.
How to invest

Life after Warren Buffett: other successful investors still in the game worth following

With Warren Buffett retiring it’s time to look at some other investors delivering solid returns.  

Read more »

An older woman gazes over the top of her glasses with a quizzical expression as if she is considering some information.
How to invest

How to build an ASX ETF portfolio to match your risk profile

Time for a portfolio review?

Read more »

A man sits cross-legged in a zen pose on top of his desk as papers fly around his head, keeping calm amid the volatility.
How to invest

Why market volatility is an ASX stock picker's best friend

Here's why you shouldn't fear market volatility.

Read more »

A businessman compares the growth trajectory of property versus shares.
How to invest

Why does Warren Buffett prefer shares over property?

Equities made Buffett the world's most successful investor.

Read more »

Person holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

Should I spend $5,000 on ASX 200 shares or ASX ETFs this month?

Where is the best place to invest these funds? Let's look at the options.

Read more »

a smiling picture of legendary US investment guru Warren Buffett.
How to invest

2 famous investors with even better track records than Warren Buffett

These two fellow Americans achieved mind blowing returns.

Read more »

A group of young ASX investors sitting around a laptop with an older lady standing behind them explaining how investing works.
How to invest

How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio

These easy steps could help you on your way to riches in the share market.

Read more »