🔍 Introduction
Every investor wants to know whether a stock is trading above or below its real worth. The Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio is one of the simplest yet most effective metrics for this purpose. It compares a company’s market price per share with its book value per share, helping you see if the stock is undervalued, fairly valued, or overvalued.
Our P/B Ratio Calculator makes this process effortless. Just enter a few numbers — the current market price, book value per share, and optionally the sector average — and it instantly gives you a color-coded verdict. Whether you’re evaluating Apple (U.S.) or HDFC Bank (India), this tool works globally for value-conscious investors.
📘 What Is the Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio?
The P/B Ratio (or Price-to-Book Value Ratio) measures how the market values a company relative to its book value, which represents its net asset value after deducting liabilities.
In simple words:
It tells you how much investors are paying for each ₹1 (or $1) of the company’s net assets.
A lower P/B ratio (<1) often suggests that the stock is undervalued — possibly trading below its actual net worth. A higher P/B (>3) indicates that investors are paying a premium, expecting strong future growth.
🧮 Formula: How to Calculate the P/B Ratio
The basic formula is:
P/B Ratio=Market Price per Share/Book Value per Share (BVPS)
Where:
-
Market Price per Share (MPS) → The current stock price in the market.
-
Book Value per Share (BVPS) → Shareholders’ equity divided by total number of outstanding shares.
You can also compare it to the sector average P/B to understand relative valuation.
If you enter all three values into our calculator, you’ll get:
✅ The company’s P/B ratio
✅ Comparison vs sector average
✅ A color-coded verdict — 🟢 Undervalued, 🟡 Fairly Valued, or 🔴 Overvalued
💡 Example 1: Apple Inc. (U.S. Company)
-
Market Price (USD): $230
-
Book Value per Share (BVPS): $4.50
P/B=230/4.5=51.11
➡️ Interpretation: Apple’s P/B of ~51 means investors are paying 51× its book value — typical for asset-light tech companies where intangible assets and brand power dominate.
💡 Example 2: HDFC Bank Ltd. (India)
-
Market Price (₹): 1,600
-
Book Value per Share (BVPS): 550
P/B=1600/550=2.91
➡️ Interpretation: A P/B of ~2.9 is normal for high-quality banks, reflecting strong profitability and investor confidence.
📊 Example Summary
Company |
Market Price |
BVPS |
P/B Ratio |
Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple Inc. |
$230 |
$4.50 |
51.11 |
🔴 Overvalued |
HDFC Bank |
₹1,600 |
₹550 |
2.91 |
🟡 Fairly Valued |
Coal India |
₹450 |
₹280 |
1.61 |
🟢 Undervalued |
🧩 Interpreting the P/B Ratio
P/B Range |
Interpretation |
Investor View |
|---|---|---|
P/B < 1 |
Undervalued |
May indicate market pessimism or hidden value |
1 ≤ P/B ≤ 3 |
Fairly Valued |
Balanced valuation, check fundamentals |
P/B > 3 |
Overvalued |
Premium pricing, often justified by growth or brand value |
Remember — a low P/B ratio isn’t always a “buy” signal; sometimes it reflects distress or poor performance. Context is key.
🏢 Industry Benchmarks
Different industries naturally have different P/B norms:
Sector / Industry |
Typical P/B Range |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|
Banking / Finance |
1.5 – 4.0 |
High-quality banks often trade >2.5 |
Real Estate |
0.8 – 2.0 |
Asset-heavy; P/B < 1 may show opportunity |
Manufacturing |
1.0 – 2.5 |
Balance between assets and profitability |
Technology |
4.0 – 30+ |
Asset-light, intangible-heavy firms |
Energy / Utilities |
0.8 – 2.0 |
Moderate P/B due to tangible asset base |
🧾 How to Use the P/B Ratio Calculator
Our online calculator simplifies everything:
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Enter Current Market Price (₹ or $): The stock’s current trading price.
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Enter Book Value Per Share (BVPS): From company’s financials (Equity ÷ Shares).
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Optional: Enter Sector Average P/B (to compare performance).
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Click “Calculate”: Instantly get P/B ratio, verdict, and comparison insights.
The calculator uses color-coded logic:
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🟢 Undervalued: P/B < 1
-
🟡 Fairly Valued: 1 ≤ P/B ≤ 3
-
🔴 Overvalued: P/B > 3
If you include the sector average, it also shows how far above or below the market benchmark your stock is trading.
Field |
Description |
Example |
|---|---|---|
Current Market Price (₹) |
The latest trading price per share of the stock. |
₹500 |
Book Value Per Share (BVPS) |
Total shareholder equity divided by the total number of shares. Represents the accounting value of each share. |
₹120 |
Sector Average P/B (optional) |
Average P/B ratio of similar companies within the same industry, used for comparison. |
2.0 |
P/B Ratio |
The company’s price-to-book value. Formula: P/B = Market Price ÷ Book Value per Share |
4.17 |
Valuation Verdict |
Indicates whether the stock is undervalued, fairly valued, or overvalued based on P/B ratio thresholds. |
🔴 Overvalued (P/B > 3) |
So go ahead now and checkout your stock fair valuation by using the below P/B ratio calculator
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Some other related tools
P/E Ratio Calculator – Check if a Stock is Overvalued or Undervalued
Advanced Target Price Calculator – Estimate Future Stock Value & CAGR Online
Intrinsic Value (DCF) Calculator – Find a Stock’s True Worth
Reverse DCF (Implied Growth) Calculator – Find Market’s Expected Growth Rate
PEG Ratio Calculator – Find Fair Value of Stocks Online
Graham Number Calculator – Calculate Fair Value of a Stock Using EPS & BVPS
⚖️ When the P/B Ratio Works Best
The P/B ratio is most useful for:
✅ Asset-heavy businesses like banks, insurers, utilities, and manufacturers
✅ Comparing companies within the same sector
✅ Long-term value investing
It’s less effective for:
🚫 Technology or brand-driven firms (Apple, Google, Infosys) where book value understates real worth
🚫 Negative equity companies (P/B undefined)
🔄 Comparison: P/B vs P/E vs PEG
Metric |
Formula |
Measures |
Best Used For |
Example Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
P/B Ratio |
Price / Book Value |
Asset valuation |
Banks, Real Estate |
Value vs book assets |
Price / Earnings |
Profit valuation |
All sectors |
Earnings-based pricing |
|
(P/E) / Growth Rate |
Growth-adjusted valuation |
Growth stocks |
Over/undervaluation vs growth |
✅ Pro Tip: Combine P/B + P/E + PEG for balanced insight.
For example, if P/B < 1 and PEG < 1, the stock might be deeply undervalued.
🧭 Advantages of Using the P/B Ratio
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Simple and Quick – One of the easiest ways to check valuation.
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Data Availability – BVPS and price are publicly available.
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Useful for Value Investing – Favored by Benjamin Graham-style investors.
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Effective for Financial Stocks – Especially banks and insurers.
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Detects Deep Value Opportunities – P/B < 1 stocks may be worth revisiting.
⚠️ Limitations of P/B Ratio
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Ignores Intangibles – Doesn’t account for brand, patents, or goodwill.
-
May Mislead for Asset-Light Firms – Tech companies appear expensive by this metric.
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Doesn’t Reflect Profitability – A low P/B can also mean poor earnings.
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Dynamic Book Value – Can change due to write-offs or accounting policies.
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Not Useful for Negative Equity Firms – P/B is invalid when book value < 0.
💼 Practical Investment Tips
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Combine P/B with ROE (Return on Equity): A low P/B + high ROE often signals a great buy.
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Watch for Book Value Growth: Consistent BVPS increase = management efficiency.
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Compare within the same industry: Cross-sector comparisons can be misleading.
-
Use along with DCF & PEG: To check both intrinsic and relative value.
-
Look for insider ownership: Value stocks often have strong insider confidence.
❓ FAQs About P/B Ratio
1. What is a good P/B ratio for value investors?
Generally, a P/B below 1.0 may indicate undervaluation — but it depends on the sector. Banks can trade near 2–3 and still be fairly valued.
2. Can the P/B ratio be negative?
Yes, if book value is negative (liabilities exceed assets), the P/B is undefined or negative — not a good sign.
3. Why is P/B high for tech companies?
Because their book value doesn’t include intangible assets like brand, IP, or software — making their P/B look inflated.
4. How is P/B different from P/E?
P/B measures assets vs price, while P/E measures earnings vs price. Both provide different insights.
5. Is a low P/B ratio always good?
Not necessarily — it might indicate weak profitability or poor management efficiency.
6. Should I use P/B alone for stock valuation?
No, combine it with P/E, ROE, and growth analysis for accurate conclusions.
7. How often should I check P/B ratios?
Quarterly or during earnings season when book values are updated.
🏁 Conclusion
The Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio remains one of the most reliable indicators for value investors. It provides a quick snapshot of how the market values a company’s net assets and whether the stock is potentially undervalued or overpriced.
However, always remember — P/B is just one piece of the puzzle. Combine it with other tools like the P/E ratio, PEG ratio, and DCF valuation for a holistic view.
Our P/B Ratio Calculator simplifies all this by offering instant results, tooltips, and valuation verdicts — making it an essential addition to your investment toolkit.
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⚠️ Disclaimer
This P/B Ratio Calculator and accompanying content are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Stock market investments are subject to risks; always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
