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Multiple Choice
The price-earnings (PE) ratio is a ______ ratio.
A
liquidity
B
profitability
C
solvency
D
market
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of the Price-Earnings (PE) ratio: The PE ratio is a financial metric used to evaluate the relationship between a company's stock price and its earnings per share (EPS). It helps investors assess whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued.
Identify the category of financial ratios: Financial ratios are typically grouped into categories such as liquidity, profitability, solvency, and market ratios. Each category serves a specific purpose in analyzing a company's financial health.
Determine the purpose of the PE ratio: The PE ratio is primarily used by investors and analysts to evaluate the market value of a company's stock relative to its earnings. This makes it a market ratio, as it focuses on stock valuation and investor behavior rather than operational or financial stability.
Compare the PE ratio to other types of ratios: Liquidity ratios measure a company's ability to meet short-term obligations, profitability ratios assess a company's ability to generate profit, and solvency ratios evaluate long-term financial stability. The PE ratio does not fit into these categories because it is focused on market valuation.
Conclude that the PE ratio is a market ratio: Based on its purpose and usage, the PE ratio is classified as a market ratio, which is used to analyze stock performance and investor sentiment in the market.