Apart from the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, another parameter that is commonly used to value stocks is price-to-book value (P/BV). But what does P/BV means and how can investors use this parameter to value their investments? In this article, we will try and simplify this concept. How is P/BV calculated?
P/BV is a valuation ratio and is arrived at by dividing the market price of a share with the respective company's book value per share. Now, book value is equal to the shareholder's equity (share capital plus reserves and surplus). Book value can also be arrived at by subtracting current liabilities and debt from total assets. For the banking and finance companies, book value is calculated as 'share capital plus reserves minus miscellaneous assets not written off. This formula then takes care of the bank's NPAs and gives a correct picture.
Liabilities | Rs m | Assets | Rs m |
Equity capital | 2,860 | Cash | 69,500 |
Reserves & surplus | 135,090 | Other current assets | 60,680 |
Current liabilities | 41,910 | Fixed assets | 47,770 |
Investments | 720 | ||
Deferred tax assets | 1,190 | ||
179,860 | 179,860 |
If one were to take a look at Infosys' consolidated balance sheet for FY08, as mentioned above, book value will be arrived at by adding Rs 2,860 m (equity capital) and Rs 135,090 m (reserves and surplus), which equals to Rs 137,950 m. Conversely, when we deduct current liabilities from total assets, we shall arrive at a similar figure. Now, by dividing this book value (Rs 137,950 m) by the issued equity shares of the company (approx 572 m), we would arrive at the book value per share figure, which is Rs 241.2. This will be our denominator for calculating the P/BV for the Infosys stock, which currently stands at 6.6x.
P/BV figures for companies in the services industries like software and FMCG are high as compared to those of companies in the sectors like auto, engineering, steel and banking. This is because companies from the sectors like software and FMCG have low amount of tangible assets (fixed assets etc.) on their books and, as such, the P/BV may not be a correct indicator of valuation. On the other hand, old economy sectors like auto and engineering have large balance sheets, i.e., they have a large amount of fixed assets and investments. As such, P/BV is a good indicator of measuring value of stocks from these sectors.
What does P/BV indicates?
P/BV is a good metric to value stocks of companies in the capital-intensive industries like engineering, automobiles and banks, which have large amount of tangible assets in their books (balance sheet). If a company is trading at a P/BV of less than 1, this indicates any or both of the two -
A high P/BV indicates vice versa, i.e., markets believe the company's assets to be undervalued or that the company is earning and is expected to earn in the future a high return on its assets. Book value also has a relationship with the 'Return on Equity' of a company. In fact, book value can also be termed as equity (equity capital plus reserves and surplus). As such, for a company that earns a high return on equity, investors would be ready to give the stock a high P/BV multiple.
What does P/BV fail to indicate?
Net worth (Rs m) | No. of shares (m) | BVPS (Rs) | CMP (Rs) | P/BV | BV/P | |
Infosys | 137,950 | 572 | 241 | 1,583 | 6.6 | 15% |
HUL* | 15,082 | 2,178 | 7 | 220 | 31.8 | 3% |
Tata Motors | 86,975 | 386 | 226 | 412 | 1.8 | 55% |
SBI | 612,364 | 635 | 965 | 1,227 | 1.3 | 79% |
BHEL# | 110,189 | 490 | 225 | 1,460 | 6.5 | 15% |
We hope this article was able to throw some light on the concept of P/BV and its relevance from an investor's viewpoint. The ratio has its shortcomings that investors need to recognise. However, it offers an easy-to-use tool for identifying clearly under or over valued companies.
Equitymaster requests your view! Post a comment on "P/BV: Understanding the concept". Click here!
21 Responses to "P/BV: Understanding the concept"
Srinivasn
Feb 4, 2017The article is simple and educating. But it does not explain how to use it for picking stocks for investment keeping in view other parameters. A high P/BV for companies is not always safe. Trump Bump and consequent fall of share prices and values of IT stocks is a case in point.
Equity master should educate investors how to pick good stocks keeping in view various parameters, with live examples.
Sumit Agrawal
Apr 16, 2014thanks for this post.
it provide complete information and easy to understand.
but why P/BV should not used for companies have low fixed assets??
please elaborate the point.
P.SATYANARAYANA
May 17, 2013It is excellent explain to new market traders. It has given very useful information to select a cheap stock, which will be given good growth in future.
vasudevan
Apr 26, 2013Very educative indeed...
It is like teaching alphabet( Here the basics of share) to a small tiny tot....
Kudos keep it up
vasudevan
Apr 26, 2013Very educative indeed...
It is like teaching alphabet( Here the basics of share) to a small tiny tot....
Kudos keep it up
venkatraman
Aug 21, 2012good that the interpretations of P/Eand P/BV values have been explained very well and where to use them
Shanil
Nov 12, 2011Very good explanation and easy to understand. Eventhough P/BV is not the only criteria one should look for before picking a stock but a better understanding of this concept will help a person who is into value investing. I would say that the most important parameters for analyzing a stock are P/BV, P/E, Net sales, ROIC and debt to net ratio.
SIDDHANT RAGHORTE
Apr 2, 2017P/E &P/B V ratio are the key indicators for analysis of Stock position. For the debt part whether secured loans and unsecured shown in B/S are really true and trustworthy or shall it defeat the true purpose while deriving the book value. In real sense,things are manipulated and window-dressed properly for borrowing funds from banks. Ultimately,resulted in high NPAs,whom to condemn for this jugglery.