Don't Sell ICC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICCH) Before You Read This
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This article is for investors who would like to improve their understanding of price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll look at ICC Holdings, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ICCH) P/E ratio and reflect on what it tells us about the company's share price. ICC Holdings has a P/E ratio of 77.48, based on the last twelve months. That means that at current prices, buyers pay $77.48 for every $1 in trailing yearly profits.
See our latest analysis for ICC Holdings
How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?
The formula for price to earnings is:
Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share ÷ Earnings per Share (EPS)
Or for ICC Holdings:
P/E of 77.48 = $12.75 ÷ $0.16 (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 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. All else being equal, it's better to pay a low price -- but as Warren Buffett said, 'It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.'
Does ICC Holdings Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry?
The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. The image below shows that ICC Holdings has a significantly higher P/E than the average (17.5) P/E for companies in the insurance industry.
ICC Holdings's P/E tells us that market participants think the company will perform better than its industry peers, going forward. The market is optimistic about the future, but that doesn't guarantee future growth. So investors should always consider the P/E ratio alongside other factors, such as whether company directors have been buying shares.
How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios
If earnings fall then in the future the 'E' will be lower. That means unless the share price falls, the P/E will increase in a few years. Then, a higher P/E might scare off shareholders, pushing the share price down.
ICC Holdings shrunk earnings per share by 2.6% last year. And over the longer term (3 years) earnings per share have decreased 39% annually. So you wouldn't expect a very high P/E.
Remember: P/E Ratios Don't Consider The Balance Sheet
The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. That means it doesn't take debt or cash into account. 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).
Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof).
ICC Holdings's Balance Sheet
Since ICC Holdings holds net cash of US$2.9m, it can spend on growth, justifying a higher P/E ratio than otherwise.
The Bottom Line On ICC Holdings's P/E Ratio
With a P/E ratio of 77.5, ICC Holdings is expected to grow earnings very strongly in the years to come. The recent drop in earnings per share would make some investors cautious, but the relatively strong balance sheet will allow the company time to invest in growth. Clearly, the high P/E indicates shareholders think it will!
When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. Although we don't have analyst forecasts, you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow.
Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20.
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.
