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Multiple Choice
Which of the following factors is most likely to influence a company's price-earnings (P/E) ratio?
A
The company's total number of employees
B
The physical location of the company's headquarters
C
Investor expectations about future earnings growth
D
The company's inventory turnover ratio
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of the Price-Earnings (P/E) ratio: The P/E ratio is a valuation metric that compares a company's current share price to its earnings per share (EPS). It is often used by investors to assess the relative value of a company's stock and its growth potential.
Identify the factors that influence the P/E ratio: The P/E ratio is primarily influenced by investor expectations about the company's future earnings growth, as higher expected growth typically leads to a higher P/E ratio. Other factors, such as market conditions and industry trends, may also play a role.
Evaluate the options provided in the problem: Consider each factor listed (total number of employees, physical location of headquarters, inventory turnover ratio, and investor expectations about future earnings growth) and determine their relevance to the P/E ratio.
Focus on investor expectations about future earnings growth: This factor is most directly related to the P/E ratio because it reflects how optimistic investors are about the company's ability to generate higher earnings in the future.
Conclude that the correct answer is investor expectations about future earnings growth: This is the factor most likely to influence a company's P/E ratio, as it directly impacts how the market values the company's stock relative to its earnings.