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The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a valuation metric: the share price divided by earnings per share.
The price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) compares the current share price with earnings per share. It shows how many years it would take to "earn back" the current price through profits.
A low P/E suggests a cheap valuation, a high P/E an expensive one. Industry and growth prospects have to be taken into account, though: technology companies typically carry higher P/Es than utilities.
A distinction is drawn between the trailing P/E (based on the last year's earnings) and the forward P/E (based on analysts' forecasts).
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