P/E ratio
Price relative to earningsThe price-to-earnings ratio compares a share price with earnings per share. Review it alongside growth, margins, and comparable companies.
Stock research glossary
Understand financial terms without leaving the research flow.
Use concise definitions across Mavefund, then open this glossary for the fuller context, limitations, and comparison notes.
Research support · verifiable sources · not personalized financial advice
From accounting to valuation
Financial terms in context
Concise definitions appear in the research flow. The longer explanation adds context and limitations.
P/S ratio
Price relative to revenueThe price-to-sales ratio compares market value with revenue. By itself it says little about profitability or cash flow.
P/B ratio
Price relative to book valueThe price-to-book ratio compares a share price with accounting equity per share. Balance-sheet quality and sector context matter.
PEG ratio
P/E relative to growthThe PEG ratio compares P/E with expected earnings growth. Uncertain growth assumptions can materially distort it.
EPS
Earnings per shareEarnings per share is profit attributable to each share. Buybacks and dilution can change the figure.
EBITDA
Earnings before key deductionsEBITDA is operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. It excludes investment needs, financing, and actual cash flow.
Free cash flow
Cash after necessary investmentFree cash flow is operating cash left after required investment. It can support debt reduction, distributions, buybacks, or growth.
Return on equity
Profit relative to equityReturn on equity measures profit relative to shareholder equity. High leverage can artificially increase it.
Net margin
Profit share of revenueNet margin shows how much revenue remains as profit after all expenses. Review one-off effects separately.
Dividend yield
Distribution relative to priceDividend yield compares annual distributions with the share price. A high yield can also signal expected cuts.
Market capitalization
Value of all sharesMarket capitalization is share price multiplied by shares outstanding. It is not the same as enterprise value including debt.
Volatility
Strength of price fluctuationsVolatility describes the magnitude of price fluctuations. It measures variation, not direction or business quality.
Beta
Movement relative to marketBeta describes how much a stock historically moved relative to the market. The value can change over time.
Debt-to-equity
Debt relative to equityDebt-to-equity compares debt or net debt with shareholder equity. Definitions vary by data provider.
Guidance
Company outlookGuidance is management's published outlook. Changes can matter more than the absolute forecast.
DCF
Present value of future cashA discounted cash-flow model estimates today's value of expected future cash. Results are sensitive to assumptions.
Drawdown
Loss from previous peakDrawdown is the decline from a previous peak to a later low. It shows historical loss depth, not future risk.
Primary source
Original company documentA primary source is an original document such as a filing, earnings release, presentation, or official publication.
ESEF
European digital reporting formatESEF is the European Single Electronic Format for digital annual financial reports from listed companies.
10-K
US annual company filingForm 10-K is a detailed annual filing submitted by a US-listed company to the SEC.
10-Q
US quarterly company filingForm 10-Q is a quarterly filing submitted by a US-listed company to the SEC.
FAQ
Quick answers
Does a short definition replace analysis?
No. A metric needs sector, history, data-quality, and broader company context.
Are metrics comparable across every company?
Not always. Business models, accounting, currencies, and sectors can limit direct comparisons.