| Abstract: | Earlier studies have reported that the average price/earning ratios (P/E ratios) of groups of firms tend to maintain over time their ranks within their industry classes. This study looks at the rank stability of P/E ratios of individual stocks, without regard to their industry labels. Based on a sample of 429 stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and covering the period 1960–1976, this study concludes that individual stocks exhibit significant stability in their P/E ratio ranks, more strongly so over shorter periods of time. This tendency has implications in investment management. |
