
One key difference between growth stocks and value stocks is the price-earnings ratio. Generally, value stocks have a lower price-earnings ratio compared to growth stocks.
This lower ratio is a result of value stocks' lower market prices relative to their earnings. For instance, a value stock with a price of $20 and earnings of $1 would have a price-earnings ratio of 20. In contrast, a growth stock with a price of $50 and earnings of $1 would have a price-earnings ratio of 50.
Additional reading: Earning per Common Share Formula
Understanding Value Stocks
Value stocks are often characterized by their low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, typically ranging from low to moderate values, unlike growth stocks which usually have high P/E ratios. This means value stocks are trading at a lower price compared to their earnings.
Value stocks often have strong fundamentals, with low price-to-book (P/B) ratios and low P/E values, which is the opposite of growth stocks. This indicates that value stocks are undervalued and may provide a superior return as their stock prices catch up with fundamentals.
Explore further: Values Based Investing
Value stocks usually pay dividends, with higher than average dividend yields, unlike growth stocks which typically do not pay dividends. This makes value stocks a more attractive option for income investors.
Here are the key differences between value stocks and growth stocks:
By understanding these differences, you can make informed investment decisions that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Price-Earnings Ratio
The Price-Earnings Ratio is a crucial metric for investors to understand the value of a company. It's calculated by dividing the stock price by the earnings per share. This ratio helps investors compare individual stocks or entire stock indexes to determine whether the stock valuation is relatively high or low.
A high P/E ratio can indicate that a company is expected to grow significantly in the future, making it a growth stock. Amazon, for example, has a high P/E ratio due to its expected growth of over 33% in 2024. However, this also means that investors are willing to pay a high price for the stock, which can be a risk if the company doesn't meet expectations.
You might enjoy: Truist Bank Stock Next Earnings
On the other hand, a low P/E ratio can indicate that a company is undervalued. Companies with low P/E ratios are often called "value" stocks, and investors buy them hoping to take advantage of the mispricing and sell at a profit when the market corrects itself.
Here are some key differences between growth stocks and value stocks:
A high P/E ratio doesn't necessarily mean that a company is overvalued, but it does mean that investors are expecting high growth. Some companies with high P/E ratios may be considered a higher risk investment due to the uncertainty and volatility associated with fast growth.
In contrast, a low P/E ratio may indicate lower investor confidence in the company's future performance. However, it's essential to understand the reasons behind a company's low P/E ratio, as a bargain can turn out to be a nightmare investment into a fundamentally flawed company.
You might like: What Does over Spot Mean When Buying Gold
Analysis
Value stocks typically have a lower price-earnings ratio compared to growth stocks. This is because investors are more focused on the company's current fundamentals and future performance, rather than its growth potential.
A key characteristic of value stocks is that they often have higher dividend yields. This is in contrast to growth stocks, which typically do not pay dividends. Value stocks also tend to have strong fundamentals, with low price-to-book (P/B) ratios and low P/E values.
Value stocks are thought to trade below their true worth, making them a potentially superior investment opportunity. Unlike growth stocks, value stocks are not expected to experience high growth rates in the future.
The industry average P/E ratio can vary significantly between industries and business models. For example, a company in a high-growth industry may have a much higher P/E ratio compared to a company in a more stable industry.
Here are some key differences between growth and value stocks:
Low P/E ratios can be a sign of lower investor confidence in a company's future performance. However, it's essential to understand the reasons behind a company's low P/E ratio, as it may indicate fundamental flaws in the business.
Stock Performance
Amazon, a classic growth stock, has a high price-to-earnings ratio, typically ranging from 51 to 245 between September 2021 and December 2023.
High price-to-earnings ratios suggest positive future performance, especially for growth stocks like Amazon, which has growth estimates over 33% for 2024.
In fact, Amazon's stock has historically traded at a high P/E ratio, indicating investors' confidence in its growth potential.
Companies with higher P/E ratios are typically considered growth stocks, meaning investors expect higher future earnings growth potential.
Amazon's market capitalization ranks fourth among U.S. companies as of December 2023, demonstrating its size and growth.
Investors pay a high price for growth stocks expecting future growth, but if growth doesn't materialize, the stock's price can fall dramatically.
High P/E ratios can also indicate lower risk, as investors believe the company has a more stable business model or industry, leading to less risk and uncertainty.
Additional reading: Amazon Stock Growth
The Investing Strategy
When choosing between growth and value stocks, it's essential to understand the key differences in their investing strategies. Growth stocks prioritize rapid expansion over profitability, often at the cost of delayed profits. Growth companies tend to focus on maximizing profits after a period of time, which can create a positive feedback loop.
The value investing strategy, on the other hand, focuses on finding undervalued companies with strong fundamentals. Value stocks are often characterized by low price-to-earnings ratios.
To determine the value of a stock, you can use the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. This ratio compares a company's stock price to its earnings per share. The P/E ratio can be used in conjunction with a company's historical performance record and future projections, as well as industry benchmarks.
Here are some key factors to consider when using the P/E ratio:
- Company’s own historical performance record and future projections
- Aggregate industry, index and other benchmarks
- Future direction of the stock in the context of investor perception of a company’s performance, earning power, growth rate and risk profile
By understanding the P/E ratio and its application, you can make more informed investment decisions and potentially avoid overpaying for growth stocks.
Stock Evaluation
A growth stock's price-earnings ratio is typically higher than a value stock's, often ranging from 51 to 245, as seen in Amazon's case.
Value stocks, on the other hand, are thought to trade below their actual worth, with a low price-to-book (P/B) ratio and low P/E values.
To determine if a stock is a growth or value stock, look at its dividend yield, with value stocks often having higher than average dividend yields.
Value stocks also tend to have strong fundamentals, such as low gearing and a stable business model.
A high price-to-earnings ratio suggests positive future performance, as investors are willing to pay a higher share price today for higher growth expectations.
However, a low price-to-earnings ratio can indicate lower investor confidence in the company's future performance.
In fact, a low P/E ratio can be a sign of a company's fundamental flaws and going into a permanent state of decline.
Here's a comparison of Company A and Company B, two companies in the same industry with the same EPS of $5:
Despite having a higher absolute price per share, Company A is actually cheaper in terms of P/E ratio than Company B.
Investment Types
Value stocks tend to prioritize profitability over rapid revenue growth. They often focus on maximizing profits from the start, which can lead to a lower price-earnings ratio compared to growth stocks.
Growth companies, on the other hand, concentrate on building up their revenue, often at the cost of delaying profitability. This approach can create a positive feedback loop where a rising stock price boosts a company's reputation.
Value stocks typically have lower valuations as measured by price-to-earnings or price-to-book value ratios. Growth stocks, with their high valuations, see faster growth in revenue and income than their peers.
Value investors look for undervalued companies that are poised to deliver shareholder gains over time. They often focus on finding value stocks that can provide long-term returns.
Comparison
A high P/E ratio indicates that a stock is more expensive relative to its earnings, while a low P/E ratio suggests it's undervalued.
The P/E ratio depends on market perception, expectations, and confidence in a company's future prospects.
A high P/E ratio often means a company's earnings are expected to grow significantly, while a low P/E ratio can indicate lower investor confidence in the company's future performance.
Here's a comparison of high and low P/E ratios in terms of company indicators:
High vs Low

The P/E ratio is a crucial metric for investors to understand, and it's essential to know the difference between high and low P/E ratios. A high P/E ratio indicates that a company's stock is more expensive relative to its earnings, while a low P/E ratio suggests it's undervalued.
High P/E ratios are often associated with growth stocks, where investors have high expectations for future earnings growth. This is because companies with higher P/E ratios are typically perceived as having a brighter future ahead of them.
On the other hand, low P/E ratios can be a sign of lower investor confidence in a company's future performance. This doesn't necessarily mean the company is flawed, but rather that growth is expected to be slow or non-existent.
To put it simply, a high P/E ratio is like paying a premium for a product you expect to appreciate in value, while a low P/E ratio is like buying a product at a discount, but with uncertain future prospects.
Expand your knowledge: Robinhood Markets Inc Earnings

Here's a quick comparison of high and low P/E ratios:
It's worth noting that a low P/E ratio doesn't automatically mean a company is a bad investment. However, it's essential to understand the reasons behind the low P/E ratio and consider external factors that may be influencing the market's perception of the company.
Absolute vs. Relative
Comparison is a crucial aspect of making informed decisions, and one way to compare is by looking at the absolute and relative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio.
The absolute P/E ratio is a straightforward calculation of a company's current stock price divided by its earnings per share. If the current P/E ratio is lower than the past or benchmark value, the relative P/E value will be below 100%.
To get a better understanding of this, consider the following:
This comparison can be a useful tool for investors, helping them identify whether a company's stock is undervalued or overvalued compared to its past performance or industry standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do growth stocks typically have low or high price earnings ratios?
Growth stocks typically have high price-to-earnings ratios. This is in contrast to value stocks, which often have lower price-to-earnings ratios.
What is the difference between growth stocks and value stocks ratios?
Value stocks have a low price-to-earnings ratio, whereas growth stocks have an above-average ratio. This difference is a key characteristic that sets these two stock types apart.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/growthstock.asp
- https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/types-of-stocks/growth-stocks/value-vs-growth-stocks/
- https://www.financetuts.com/price-earnings-pe-ratio/
- https://www.rfgcapital.com/How-Are-Growth-and-Value-Stocks-Different.c1022.htm
- https://www.michaeljgilliam.com/How-Are-Growth-and-Value-Stocks-Different.c1022.htm
Featured Images: pexels.com