It's A Story Of Risk Vs Reward With Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLDR)
With a median price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of close to 19x in the United States, you could be forgiven for feeling indifferent about Builders FirstSource, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:BLDR) P/E ratio of 17.8x. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/E ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment.
With earnings that are retreating more than the market's of late, Builders FirstSource has been very sluggish. It might be that many expect the dismal earnings performance to revert back to market averages soon, which has kept the P/E from falling. You'd much rather the company wasn't bleeding earnings if you still believe in the business. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.
See our latest analysis for Builders FirstSource
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What Are Growth Metrics Telling Us About The P/E?
Builders FirstSource's P/E ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver moderate growth, and importantly, perform in line with the market.
Taking a look back first, the company's earnings per share growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 9.7%. Regardless, EPS has managed to lift by a handy 15% in aggregate from three years ago, thanks to the earlier period of growth. Although it's been a bumpy ride, it's still fair to say the earnings growth recently has been mostly respectable for the company.
Shifting to the future, estimates from the nine analysts covering the company suggest earnings should grow by 22% each year over the next three years. With the market only predicted to deliver 13% each year, the company is positioned for a stronger earnings result.
With this information, we find it interesting that Builders FirstSource is trading at a fairly similar P/E to the market. It may be that most investors aren't convinced the company can achieve future growth expectations.
The Key Takeaway
The price-to-earnings ratio's power isn't primarily as a valuation instrument but rather to gauge current investor sentiment and future expectations.
Our examination of Builders FirstSource's analyst forecasts revealed that its superior earnings outlook isn't contributing to its P/E as much as we would have predicted. When we see a strong earnings outlook with faster-than-market growth, we assume potential risks are what might be placing pressure on the P/E ratio. It appears some are indeed anticipating earnings instability, because these conditions should normally provide a boost to the share price.
It is also worth noting that we have found 3 warning signs for Builders FirstSource that you need to take into consideration.
If you're unsure about the strength of Builders FirstSource's business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed.
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. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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