Earnings Yield: Simple Valuation Lens for Investors

Earnings yield explained (E/P): how it relates to P/E, how investors use it to compare stocks, and why it works best as a cross-check.

What is earnings yield?

Earnings yield is earnings divided by price (E/P). It is the inverse of the P/E ratio and can be interpreted like an “earnings return” before growth.

How investors use it

  • Compare stocks within the same sector
  • Use as a quick sanity check vs bonds/rates
  • Combine with quality and leverage metrics
Reason: earnings can be noisy

Earnings yield can mislead when earnings are cyclical or distorted. Use fundamental analysis and intrinsic value as a cross-check.

Screen for valuation + quality

Filter by valuation metrics and business quality together to avoid value traps.

FAQs

Is earnings yield better than P/E?

They are the same information in different form. Earnings yield can be easier to compare to interest rates.

What is a “good” earnings yield?

It depends on growth and risk. Compare to peers and history rather than using a universal threshold.

Related

Intrinsic Investor is for education and research only. Not financial advice.