PE ratio by industry

When it comes to analyzing and evaluating stocks, one of the most commonly used metrics is the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. The PE ratio helps investors assess a stock's value relative to its earnings. However, the average PE ratio can vary significantly between different industry sectors.

First, let's define the P/E ratio. The P/E ratio is calculated by dividing a company's stock price by its earnings per share (EPS).

This ratio shows how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings the company generates. A high P/E ratio indicates that investors expect strong future growth, while a low P/E ratio suggests investors are less optimistic about the company's future prospects.

Average P/E Ratio by Industry

The average P/E ratio varies significantly by industry. Here is a table showing average PE ratios by industries in the US as of May 2025:

As shown in the table, the Health Information Services industry has the highest average P/E ratio of 56.14, followed by REIT - Office at 44.97. In contrast, the Marine Shipping industry has the lowest average P/E ratio of 8.04, followed by the Residential Construction industry at 9.45. This variation is due to several factors, including industry-specific risks, growth potential, and investor sentiment.

Industries with highest PE ratio

Industries with the highest PE ratio are shown in the following chart and table. You can further filter the industries by sector in the chart below, so you can see a breakdown of the top industries with the highest PE ratio for every sector.

Industries with lowest PE ratio

Industries with the lowest PE ratio are presented in the following chart and table. Within the chart below, you can also refine the industries by sector, allowing you to observe a breakdown of the top industries with the lowest PE ratio in each sector.

It's important to compare the P/E ratio of a company to the average P/E ratio for its industry. If a company's P/E ratio is higher than the industry average, it may indicate that investors have high expectations for the company's growth potential. Conversely, if a company's P/E ratio is lower than the industry average, it may suggest that investors are less optimistic about the company's future prospects and therefore are willing to pay lower multiple for it.

Industry Sectors and Characteristics

Some industries tend to have higher P/E ratios than others because they are expected to have higher growth potential and future earnings. On the other hand, industries with lower growth potential or with more mature companies tend to have lower P/E ratios.

There are several industry sectors, each with unique characteristics that impact the P/E ratio. For example:

• Technology companies often have higher P/E ratios due to the potential for rapid growth and innovation.
• Healthcare companies often have lower P/E ratios due to regulatory risks and high research and development costs.
• Consumer goods companies typically have moderate P/E ratios due to the steady demand for their products.

Other factors that can impact P/E ratios include interest rates, inflation, and macroeconomic trends. High interest rates or inflation can reduce the value of future earnings, causing P/E ratios to decline. Economic recessions or other negative macroeconomic events can also impact P/E ratios across industries.

Types of PE ratio

The P/E ratio is a relative comparison between a company's current stock price and its earnings per share (EPS). There are different types of P/E ratios that can be used depending on the timeline of stock price consideration. The first type is the forward P/E ratio, which compares current earnings to future earnings by estimating what the future earnings might look like.

The second type is the trailing twelve months P/E ratio, which uses EPS data from the past 12 months to judge a company's current performance.

The third type is the absolute P/E ratio, which uses current stock price and data from both the past 12 months and future projections.

Lastly, the relative P/E ratio compares the absolute P/E ratio to P/E values of the past, using a time frame set by investors.

It's important to note that while each type of P/E ratio has its own strengths and weaknesses, investors should consider multiple factors beyond P/E ratios when making investment decisions.

Limitations of P/E Ratio

While the P/E ratio is a useful metric, it has some limitations. It's important to note that P/E ratios should not be used as the sole factor when making investment decisions. Investors should consider a range of factors, such as a company's financial health, management team, growth potential, and industry trends, when assessing the value of a company and make more informed investment decisions.