How is the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio calculated?

The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is a widely used financial metric that helps investors assess the relative value of a company's shares in relation to its earnings. To calculate the P/E ratio, you divide the current share price by the earnings per share (EPS). This ratio provides insight into how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings, thus reflecting market expectations of a company’s future growth and profitability.

When looking at the calculation process, the current share price represents the market’s valuation of the stock, while the earnings per share indicates the company’s profitability on a per-share basis. A higher P/E ratio could imply that the market expects future growth, whereas a lower P/E might suggest that the stock is undervalued or that the company is facing difficulties.

The other choices do not represent the correct formula for calculating the P/E ratio. Thus, understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone analyzing stock valuations and making investment decisions based on earnings performance.