Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Global Price Earnings Growth (PEG) Ratios

For enthusiasts of financial ratio fundamentals here is a nice table depicting on the country price earning growth ratios (PEG), courtesy of Bespoke Invest.

The methodology, according to Bespoke Invest,


"The PEG ratio is used for individual stocks as a valuation measure that factors in growth rates. It is calculated by dividing the company's P/E ratio by its growth rate. Many investors would rather own a company with a high P/E ratio and an even higher growth rate than a company with a low P/E ratio and an even lower growth rate. A PEG ratio of one or less is typically viewed positively.

"A few years ago, we decided to apply the PEG ratio to various countries by dividing estimated GDP growth into the P/E ratio of the country's main stock market index. Many developed countries have low P/E ratios, but they also have low GDP growth, while developing countries may have higher market valuations as well as stronger GDP growth. Investors may find PEG ratios more useful than simple P/E ratios when determining asset allocations for various countries.

And Bespoke's outlook,

``Russia and China have the lowest country PEG ratios at 1.86 and 1.90, respectively. Russia has a very low P/E at 8 and decent estimated GDP growth at 4.3%. China, on the other hand, has a rather high P/E ratio at 19.24, but its GDP growth is also very high at 10.10%. The US is right in the middle of the pack with a PEG of 5.07. Our neighbors to the south rank just above the US with a PEG of 3.85, while our neighbors to the north rank just below the US at 5.67.

``The US does have the best PEG ratio in the G-7, so US investors looking for developed country exposure might be better offer staying right at home. European countries have exceptionally high PEG ratios because of their mediocre valuations and low growth rates. Australia and Spain both have negative PEGs -- Australia because it has a negative P/E and Spain because it has negative GDP growth."



Here is Asia's country financial metrics equivalent based on the table from ADB's Capital Market Monitor.

The table was updated last April, however with little changes in the marketplace (this view is based on the Philippine setting) the estimates should be relevant.

And here is the expected annual economic growth for Asia, again based on ADB's estimates.

Applied to the Philippines, since the estimated GDP number is 4.6% for 2011, then at 14.7 PE ratio as of April, thus PEG is at 3.2.

Since PEG is a relative measure, this makes the Philippines 'pricier' relative to her Asian peers but more 'affordable' relative to developed economies. Therefore, cheap or expensive depends on which country is used as basis of comparison. In behavioral finance, this is called the "contrast principle".


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