5 ASX shares with tiny P/E ratios (and why they're not as cheap as they look)

It pays to peel back a few layers before piling into the 'cheap' end of town. Learn from my mistakes.

| More on:
A woman peers through a bunch of recycled clothes on hangers and looks amazed.

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

Who can turn their nose up at a bargain? It's almost innate to want to buy ASX shares when they are cheap, as is the desire to get a better deal on everyday purchases.

Unfortunately, all too often, this leads to investors scooping up companies that are trading on low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios, convinced they're making a great investment. What can ensue in the following years is a company that sheds its sheepish clothing to reveal a wealth-eating wolf.

The humble P/E ratio can be a handy tool on the investing toolbelt, but it shouldn't be the only one.

Cheap doesn't always mean value

Legendary stockpicker Warren Buffett has said before, "Price is what you pay, value is what you get." In all its simplicity, it can be easy to misunderstand what is really being conveyed in this statement.

The point is the price is secondary. It's impossible to know whether you're getting a good deal until knowing what it is you are getting for the price. Only then can an informed decision be made on whether an investment might present good value for money.

What makes it even trickier is that future value can be different to historical value.

For example, imagine you're looking for a set of sheets. A set of Egyptian cotton sheets have been selling for $150 for the past year. Suddenly, the store calls you up, "Hey, we're taking orders for next year… $75 and they're yours. The only catch is there's a good chance they end up being polyester."

You think to yourself… I can go buy standard polyester sheets for $20. Why would I pay $75? If they turn out to be polyester, that's not really good value for my money.

Essentially, a lot of 'cheap' ASX shares can turn out to be $75 polyester sheets.

My favourite personal example of this is Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG). Early into my investing journey, I came across this company that looked dependable — leasing out stores to Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) — safe as houses, I thought.

At the time, Vita Group was trading on a trailing P/E of around 6 times earnings. I was sold. How could an ASX share be so cheap?

Well, it turns out Vita wasn't so dependable. After Telstra bought back its stores, Vita wasn't left with much of a business.

Data by Trading View

Despite never trading for more than 11 times earnings between 2018 and 2020, the company's shares gradually became worth less and less.

From 'cheap' at $1.50, to not wanting to touch it at 15 cents.

Which ASX shares are suspiciously cheap?

Flicking through a list of Aussie companies currently available for earnings multiples under 10, there are five that raise some concerns.

  • Seven West Media Ltd (ASX: SWM) — 3.1 times earnings
  • Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) — 2.9 times earnings
  • Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) — 7.8 times earnings
  • Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) — 7.2 times earnings
  • Autosports Group Ltd (ASX: ASG) — 6.2 times earnings

Firstly, in my opinion, Seven West faces challenges with declining revenue from traditional media and increasing competition from Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) with the introduction of ad-supported tiers.

Furthermore, Rural Funds and Autosports could see their earnings reduce in coming years as profits normalise. Autosports has enjoyed above-average margins amid car supply shortages. Whereas Rural Funds has booked large profits from one-off gains in the past year.

Lastly, both Elders and Magellan are facing their own set of challenges. The Aussie agribusiness could see greater deterioration in business conditions if a drought grips the country. Meanwhile, Magellan is still trying to stem the outflows from its managed funds.

All of this is to say, it's worth taking a deeper look into a company before labelling it as a cheap ASX share. The abovementioned businesses might still represent value, but if they do, it won't be evident from the P/E ratio alone.

Should you invest $1,000 in Autosports Group Ltd right now?

Before you buy Autosports Group Ltd 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 Autosports Group Ltd 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

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has positions in Elders. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Netflix and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2024 $145 calls on Walt Disney and short January 2024 $155 calls on Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Opinions

Miner looking at a tablet.
Opinions

3 reasons why the Fortescue share price could still be a buy

Let’s dig into why this mining giant could be a solid buy.

Read more »

A young woman wearing a red and white striped t-shirt puts her hand to her chin and looks sideways as she wonders whether to buy NAB shares
Opinions

The pros and cons of buying Wesfarmers shares in May

Is this retail giant an appealing opportunity?

Read more »

Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.
Opinions

2 ASX 200 shares that I think are still bargains after the market rally

These businesses look like attractive opportunities. Here’s why…

Read more »

A young woman looks at something on her laptop, wondering what will come next.
Opinions

Worried about another stock market sell-off?

Market declines don’t need to be too scary.

Read more »

An evening shot of a busy Times Square in New York.
Opinions

The pros and cons of buying US-focused ASX ETFs in the current environment

In a short amount of time, the US share market has erased the declines that it went through at the…

Read more »

I young woman takes a bite out of a burrito n the street outside a Mexican fast-food establishment.
Opinions

Time to cash in your gains? Brokers say sell on these 3 ASX 200 shares

Experts say these stocks are overvalued and it may be time to take some profits off the table.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Opinions

Here's what I'd do after the big ASX stock market rally

The US and China are working towards a trade deal.

Read more »

Two hands being shaken symbolising a deal.
Opinions

2 ASX 200 shares I'd buy after the US-China tariff deal

These stocks look appealing to me right now.

Read more »