QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO) shares have had a really impressive month, gaining 34% after a shaky period beforehand. The last 30 days bring the annual gain to a very sharp 41%.
After such a large jump in price, when almost half of the companies in the United States' Trade Distributors industry have price-to-sales ratios (or "P/S") below 1.2x, you may consider QXO as a stock probably not worth researching with its 3.2x P/S ratio. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the elevated P/S.
See our latest analysis for QXO
QXO certainly has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing revenue more than most other companies. It seems that many are expecting the strong revenue performance to persist, which has raised the P/S. However, if this isn't the case, investors might get caught out paying too much for the stock.
Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on QXO will help you uncover what's on the horizon.QXO's P/S ratio would be typical for a company that's expected to deliver solid growth, and importantly, perform better than the industry.
Taking a look back first, we see that the company's revenues underwent some rampant growth over the last 12 months. Spectacularly, three year revenue growth has also set the world alight, thanks to the last 12 months of incredible growth. So we can start by confirming that the company has done a tremendous job of growing revenue over that time.
Turning to the outlook, the next three years should generate growth of 59% per year as estimated by the analysts watching the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry is forecast to only expand by 11% per annum, which is noticeably less attractive.
With this information, we can see why QXO is trading at such a high P/S compared to the industry. It seems most investors are expecting this strong future growth and are willing to pay more for the stock.
The large bounce in QXO's shares has lifted the company's P/S handsomely. 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.
As we suspected, our examination of QXO's analyst forecasts revealed that its superior revenue outlook is contributing to its high P/S. It appears that shareholders are confident in the company's future revenues, which is propping up the P/S. Unless these conditions change, they will continue to provide strong support to the share price.
It is also worth noting that we have found 1 warning sign for QXO that you need to take into consideration.
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).
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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.