When close to half the companies in China have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") above 30x, you may consider Wuhu Fuchun Dye and Weave Co.,Ltd. (SHSE:605189) as an attractive investment with its 16.1x P/E ratio. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the reduced P/E.

Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd hasn't been tracking well recently as its declining earnings compare poorly to other companies, which have seen some growth on average. It seems that many are expecting the dour earnings performance to persist, which has repressed the P/E. If you still like the company, you'd be hoping this isn't the case so that you could potentially pick up some stock while it's out of favour.

How Is Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd's Growth Trending?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should underperform the market for P/E ratios like Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd's to be considered reasonable.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 39% decrease to the company's bottom line. This means it has also seen a slide in earnings over the longer-term as EPS is down 31% in total over the last three years. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been undesirable for the company.

Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 38% per year during the coming three years according to the two analysts following the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the market is forecast to only expand by 21% per annum, which is noticeably less attractive.

With this information, we find it odd that Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd is trading at a P/E lower than the market. Apparently some shareholders are doubtful of the forecasts and have been accepting significantly lower selling prices.

The Key Takeaway

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 Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd's analyst forecasts revealed that its superior earnings outlook isn't contributing to its P/E anywhere near as much as we would have predicted. When we see a strong earnings outlook with faster-than-market growth, we assume potential risks are what might be placing significant pressure on the P/E ratio. At least price risks look to be very low, but investors seem to think future earnings could see a lot of volatility.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Wuhu Fuchun Dye and WeaveLtd (at least 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable), and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with a strong growth track record, trading on a low P/E.

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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.