NASAA Series 65, Uniform Investment Adviser Law ExaminationEconomic Factors and Business InformationEasy

A portfolio manager is analyzing a company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. If a company's stock price is $50 per share and its earnings per share (EPS) is $2.50, what is its P/E ratio?

  1. A0.05
  2. B52.5
  3. C20
  4. D12.5
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. 20

The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is calculated by dividing the stock price per share by the earnings per share (EPS). So, $50 / $2.50 = 20.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is the inverse of the P/E ratio (EPS / Stock Price).
  • B. This incorrectly adds the stock price and EPS.
  • D. This is an incorrect calculation, possibly multiplying price by EPS.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

A valuation ratio that measures a company's current share price relative to its per-share earnings.

  • Formula: Market Price Per Share / Earnings Per Share (EPS).
  • Indicates how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings.
  • Higher P/E often implies higher growth expectations.

Memory trick: How much is this company worth, relative to its performance?

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