The Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (SHSE:688393) share price has fared very poorly over the last month, falling by a substantial 26%. The drop over the last 30 days has capped off a tough year for shareholders, with the share price down 26% in that time.

Although its price has dipped substantially, Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 47x might still make it look like a strong sell right now compared to the market in China, where around half of the companies have P/E ratios below 29x and even P/E's below 18x are quite common. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's so lofty.

For instance, Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's receding earnings in recent times would have to be some food for thought. It might be that many expect the company to still outplay most other companies over the coming period, which has kept the P/E from collapsing. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.

Check out our latest analysis for Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology

Is There Enough Growth For Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as steep as Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's is when the company's growth is on track to outshine the market decidedly.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 25% decrease to the company's bottom line. The last three years don't look nice either as the company has shrunk EPS by 65% in aggregate. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing earnings over that time.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the market is expected to grow by 42% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term earnings decline into perspective.

In light of this, it's alarming that Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's P/E sits above the majority of other companies. Apparently many investors in the company are way more bullish than recent times would indicate and aren't willing to let go of their stock at any price. There's a very good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/E falls to levels more in line with the recent negative growth rates.

The Bottom Line On Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's P/E

A significant share price dive has done very little to deflate Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology's very lofty P/E. While the price-to-earnings ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of earnings expectations.

Our examination of Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology revealed its shrinking earnings over the medium-term aren't impacting its high P/E anywhere near as much as we would have predicted, given the market is set to grow. When we see earnings heading backwards and underperforming the market forecasts, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the high P/E lower. If recent medium-term earnings trends continue, it will place shareholders' investments at significant risk and potential investors in danger of paying an excessive premium.

There are also other vital risk factors to consider and we've discovered 2 warning signs for Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

If these risks are making you reconsider your opinion on Guangzhou LBP Medicine Science & Technology, explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.