Analyze undervaluation/ overvaluation of Costco Wholesale Corp with historical PE and PBV ratios

FAQ

• What is the PE ratio?

  In its simplest definition, the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) represents the price an investor pays per dollar of a company's earnings.

  For example, if a company has a P/E ratio of 25, investors are willing to pay INR 25 for each dollar of the company's current earnings. This indicates that investors value the stock at 25 times its current earnings, with an expectation of future earnings growth.

  The P/E ratio fluctuates based on investor sentiment towards a company. Positive sentiment drives the stock price higher, resulting in a higher P/E ratio (investors pay more for each dollar of earnings). Conversely, negative sentiment lowers the P/E ratio (investors pay less for each dollar of earnings).

• What is the PE buy/sell zone?

  The PE buy/sell zone is calculated based on how many days a stock has traded at its current PE level.

  To do this, we compare the current PE to the stock’s historical PE performance, to find out how often (for how many days in the past) the stock has traded at its current PE value.

  If the stock has usually traded above its current PE level (it’s at a higher PE for the majority of trading days), then the stock is cheaper than usual and in the PE buy zone.

  If the stock has usually traded below its current PE level (it’s at a lower PE for the majority of trading days), then the stock is more expensive than usual and in the PE sell zone.

• How is the PE buy sell zone useful?

  The PE buy sell zone tells you if a stock’s current PE level is unusually high or low, and if a stock doesn’t typically trade at that level. It helps investors identify stocks that are undervalued or overvalued in terms of their typical PE trading behavior.

  Investors should keep in mind that the buy zone/sell zone is not a foolproof buy or sell signal. For example, the PE of a stock may have fallen substantially due to adverse events or negative news. Or the PE may have risen sharply after the company has won new orders, made an acquisition, announced a buyback, or some other positive event. PE Buy/Sell Zone signals should be looked at in conjunction with other information.

• Why are the number of days different for Standalone and Consolidated data?

  This can be because of any of the 2 following reasons:
  1. Days when PE is negative are not considered in the analysis. So if only 1 of the Standalone or Consolidated PE is negative and the other is not, then the days will be different
  

  2. Companies have reported Consolidated data for limited period.