Henan Hengxing Science & Technology Co.,Ltd. (SZSE:002132) shareholders have had their patience rewarded with a 26% share price jump in the last month. Not all shareholders will be feeling jubilant, since the share price is still down a very disappointing 14% in the last twelve months.
Although its price has surged higher, it's still not a stretch to say that Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.8x right now seems quite "middle-of-the-road" compared to the Metals and Mining industry in China, where the median P/S ratio is around 1.3x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.
What Does Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's P/S Mean For Shareholders?
The revenue growth achieved at Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd over the last year would be more than acceptable for most companies. Perhaps the market is expecting future revenue performance to only keep up with the broader industry, which has keeping the P/S in line with expectations. If that doesn't eventuate, then existing shareholders probably aren't too pessimistic about the future direction of the share price.
Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd will help you shine a light on its historical performance.
How Is Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's Revenue Growth Trending?
Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's P/S ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver moderate growth, and importantly, perform in line with the industry.
If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 18%. Pleasingly, revenue has also lifted 52% in aggregate from three years ago, thanks to the last 12 months of growth. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been superb for the company.
This is in contrast to the rest of the industry, which is expected to grow by 13% over the next year, materially lower than the company's recent medium-term annualised growth rates.
In light of this, it's curious that Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's P/S sits in line with the majority of other companies. Apparently some shareholders believe the recent performance is at its limits and have been accepting lower selling prices.
What We Can Learn From Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's P/S?
Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd appears to be back in favour with a solid price jump bringing its P/S back in line with other companies in the industry Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.
We didn't quite envision Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd's P/S sitting in line with the wider industry, considering the revenue growth over the last three-year is higher than the current industry outlook. When we see strong revenue with faster-than-industry growth, we can only assume potential risks are what might be placing pressure on the P/S ratio. At least the risk of a price drop looks to be subdued if recent medium-term revenue trends continue, but investors seem to think future revenue could see some volatility.
Before you settle on your opinion, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Henan Hengxing Science & TechnologyLtd (1 is significant!) that you should be aware of.
If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. 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.