Run a Checklist

What does P/B mean?

The price-to-book ratio, or P/B ratio, is a financial ratio used to compare a company's book value to its current market price and is a key metric for value investors. Book value denotes the portion of the company held by the shareholders; in other words, the company's assets less its total liabilities. This is calculated as the Current Price divided by the latest annual Book Value Per Share (The inverse ratio is known as book to market). We exclude preferred shares in the calculation of Book Value.

As with most ratios, it varies a fair amount by industry (companies that require more infrastructure capital will usually trade at P/B ratios much lower than, for example, consulting firms). P/B ratios are often used to compare banks, because most assets and liabilities of banks are constantly valued at market values. This version includes intangible assets and goodwill, unlike price to tangible book value. The price / book value ratio rarely falls below 1

Stockopedia explains P/B...

This is a key metric for value investors, whereas growth investors typically believe that book value reveals very little about a company's prospects for future performance.

The price / book value ratio rarely falls below 1.0. As with most ratios, it varies a fair amount by industry (companies that require more infrastructure capital will usually trade at P/B ratios much lower than, for example, consulting firms). P/B ratios are often used to compare banks, because most assets and liabilities of banks are constantly valued at market values.

A company that can't make an ROE greater than its cost of capital may be expected to have a low price to book. Therefore, look for a low PBV combined with a high ROE and low default risk.

What does Sales £m mean?

This is sales over the last 12 months, translated in Pounds Sterling for all companies.

Stockopedia explains Sales £m...

The sales figure gives a sense for the scale of a company, although companies can have very different profit margins depending on the industry and state of the business, so this may not bear much relation to the earnings figure. Some however argue for the importance of sales, since sales figures are less easy to manipulate than either earnings or book value.

What does Debt To Assets mean?

This is a metric used to measure a company's financial risk by determining how much of the company's assets have been financed by debt. It is calculated by adding short-term and long-term debt and then dividing by the company's total assets. For example, a company with £2 million in total assets and £500,000 in total liabilities would have a debt ratio of 25%.

Stockopedia explains Debt To Assets...

The higher the ratio, the greater risk will be associated with the firm's operation. In addition, high debt to assets ratio may indicate low borrowing capacity of a firm, which in turn will lower the firm's financial flexibility. Like all financial ratios, a company's debt ratio should be compared with their industry average or other competing firms.

Companies with high debt/asset ratios are said to be "highly leveraged". A company with a high debt ratio could be in danger if creditors start to demand repayment of debt.

What does Current Ratio mean?

This is the ratio of Total Current Assets divided by Total Current Liabilities for the same period. NOTE: This item is Not Available (NA) for Banks, Insurance companies and other companies that do not distinguish between current and long term assets and liabilities.

What does Yield % mean?

The dividend yield shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its share price. In the absence of any capital gains, the dividend yield is the return on investment for a stock. It is calculated as the historic or consensus forecast Annual Dividend per Share, divided by the current Price, multiplied by 100.

Stockopedia explains Yield %...

In the absence of any capital gains, the dividend yield is the return on investment for a stock. A higher dividend yield is often considered to be desirable among many investors but it needs to be interpreted in light of the rest of the company's financials. <br/><br/> A high dividend yield may be considered to be evidence that a stock is under priced or alternatively it may be that the company has fallen on hard times and future dividends are at risk of being cut. Similarly a low dividend yield can be considered evidence that the stock is overpriced or an indication that future dividends may be higher. Many growth companies do not pay dividends, preferring to reinvest profits back into the business.

What does Industry Grp mean?

Thomson Reuters Business Classification - Industry Group Code