I previously gave a presentation on the best pairs of technical indicators and decided to do the same for fundamental indicators, as many believe that the two go hand in hand. As an investor, understanding fundamental indicators can help you make informed investment decisions and maximize returns. In this guide, we will explore the top 5 pairs of fundamental indicators and their corresponding trading strategies for both value and growth investing.
For Value Investing:
1. Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio and Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio The P/E ratio compares a company's stock price to its earnings per share (EPS), while the P/S ratio compares a company's stock price to its revenue per share. These ratios provide insight into how much investors are willing to pay for a company's earnings and revenue. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of P/E and P/S ratios to identify undervalued stocks. A low P/E and P/S ratio may indicate an undervalued stock, while a high P/E and P/S ratio may indicate an overvalued stock. Investors can also compare a company's P/E and P/S ratios to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its valuation.
2. Debt to Equity Ratio and Current Ratio The debt to equity ratio measures a company's debt relative to its equity, while the current ratio measures a company's ability to pay its short-term debts. These ratios provide insight into a company's financial health and its ability to manage debt. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of debt to equity ratio and current ratio to identify financially healthy companies. A low debt to equity ratio and a high current ratio may indicate a financially healthy company, while a high debt to equity ratio and a low current ratio may indicate a financially unstable company. Investors can also compare a company's debt to equity ratio and current ratio to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its financial health.
3. Dividend Yield and Dividend Payout Ratio The dividend yield measures the percentage return on a stock based on its dividend payments, while the dividend payout ratio measures the percentage of a company's earnings paid out as dividends. These ratios provide insight into a company's dividend policy and its ability to pay dividends. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of dividend yield and dividend payout ratio to identify undervalued stocks with a reliable and sustainable dividend income. A high dividend yield and a low dividend payout ratio may indicate a company that is likely to continue paying dividends in the future. Investors can also compare a company's dividend yield and dividend payout ratio to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its dividend policy.
For Growth Investing:
4. Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA) ROE measures a company's profitability relative to its shareholder equity, while ROA measures a company's profitability relative to its assets. These ratios provide insight into a company's ability to generate profits from its investments. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of ROE and ROA to identify companies with a strong track record of profitability and growth potential. A high ROE and ROA may indicate a company that is efficiently using its assets and generating profits for its shareholders. Investors can also compare a company's ROE and ROA to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its profitability.
5. Earnings per Share (EPS) and Sales Growth Rate EPS measures a company's earnings per share, while sales growth rate measures the percentage increase in a company's revenue over time. These ratios provide insight into a company's profitability and its ability to grow its revenue. Strategy for Growth Investing: Investors can use a combination of EPS and sales growth rate to identify growth stocks that are expected to experience strong earnings growth in the future. A high EPS and high sales growth rate may indicate a company that is growing its revenue and earnings at a strong pace and is likely to continue doing so in the future. Investors can also compare a company's EPS and sales growth rate to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its growth potential. Strategy for Value Investing: Investors can also use a combination of EPS and sales growth rate to identify undervalued stocks that have a strong earnings growth potential. A low EPS and high sales growth rate may indicate an undervalued stock that is growing its revenue and earnings at a strong pace. Investors can also compare a company's EPS and sales growth rate to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its growth potential.
In conclusion, the 5 pairs of fundamental indicators discussed above can be powerful tools for both value and growth investors. By combining these indicators, investors can gain a better understanding of a company's financial health, profitability, and growth potential, which can help them make more informed investment decisions. However, it is important to note that these indicators should not be used in isolation and should be considered alongside other factors such as industry trends, macroeconomic factors, and company-specific events.
If you have any questions or requests for strategy analysis, feel free to write them in the comments.