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Despite Its High P/E Ratio, Is Amkor Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMKR) Still Undervalued?

The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll apply a basic P/E ratio analysis to Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AMKR), to help you decide if the stock is worth further research. Based on the last twelve months, Amkor Technology's P/E ratio is 41.13. In other words, at today's prices, investors are paying $41.13 for every $1 in prior year profit.

View our latest analysis for Amkor Technology

How Do I Calculate A Price To Earnings Ratio?

The formula for price to earnings is:

Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price ÷ Earnings per Share (EPS)

Or for Amkor Technology:

P/E of 41.13 = $9.04 ÷ $0.22 (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.)

Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good?

A higher P/E ratio means that buyers have to pay a higher price for each $1 the company has earned over the last year. That is not a good or a bad thing per se, but a high P/E does imply buyers are optimistic about the future.

Does Amkor Technology Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry?

The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. As you can see below, Amkor Technology has a higher P/E than the average company (27.1) in the semiconductor industry.

NasdaqGS:AMKR Price Estimation Relative to Market, August 20th 2019
NasdaqGS:AMKR Price Estimation Relative to Market, August 20th 2019

Its relatively high P/E ratio indicates that Amkor Technology shareholders think it will perform better than other companies in its industry classification. The market is optimistic about the future, but that doesn't guarantee future growth. So further research is always essential. I often monitor director buying and selling.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

P/E ratios primarily reflect market expectations around earnings growth rates. That's because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the 'E' in the equation. Therefore, even if you pay a high multiple of earnings now, that multiple will become lower in the future. A lower P/E should indicate the stock is cheap relative to others -- and that may attract buyers.

Amkor Technology saw earnings per share decrease by 74% last year. But over the longer term (3 years), earnings per share have increased by 35%. And EPS is down 19% a year, over the last 5 years. This growth rate might warrant a below average P/E ratio.

A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank

Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash).

While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores.

Is Debt Impacting Amkor Technology's P/E?

Amkor Technology has net debt equal to 35% of its market cap. While it's worth keeping this in mind, it isn't a worry.

The Verdict On Amkor Technology's P/E Ratio

Amkor Technology trades on a P/E ratio of 41.1, which is above its market average of 17.4. With a bit of debt, but a lack of recent growth, it's safe to say the market is expecting improved profit performance from the company, in the next few years.

Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision.

You might be able to find a better buy than Amkor Technology. If you want a selection of possible winners, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a P/E below 20 (but have proven they can grow earnings).

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.

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