P/E ratio history explained

Stock Value Lens calculates approximate P/E at every stored weekly price, using annual basic or diluted EPS. Compare both series, use optional 15×/20×/30× reference lines, and choose a time range with the P/E chart’s own range bar. The P/E and valuation charts share the same weekly price dates and synchronized windows.

P/E at a weekly price = that week’s close ÷ latest annual EPS by fiscal-period end

How annual EPS maps to weekly prices

For each stored price date, select the latest annual observation with fiscal end on or before that date. Carry its EPS forward until the next annual fiscal end, without interpolating earnings. Basic and diluted P/E use that same period’s corresponding EPS. A fiscal period later than the price date is never substituted. Before annual history begins, or when the current annual EPS is missing, zero or negative, the ratio is unavailable; an older profitable period is not reused.

Prefer a positive split-only close for each price point; otherwise use a positive Stooq adjusted close and label the ratio approximate. EPS changes annually while stock prices change weekly. The curve therefore contains all stored weekly points, not one point per fiscal year. These are annual-EPS-based ratios, not rolling TTM or analyst-estimate forward P/E.

Use either time range bar

1. Open Apple Inc. (AAPL) financial history, or search a ticker in the chart tool.
2. Scroll to P/E ratio history. Choose diluted EPS, basic EPS, or both.
3. Select a preset or drag either handle in the P/E overview bar. Drag the selected interval to move it. Both chart windows update together so the two perspectives remain comparable. The first chart’s bar also updates P/E.
4. The P/E range handles support arrow keys for 30-day steps and Home/End. The overview retains the full stored price timeline, including unavailable-ratio gaps.
5. Optional 15×/20×/30× lines provide comparisons, not fair-value estimates or recommendations.
6. P/E CSV contains every weekly price point in the selected window, its EPS fiscal end, price basis, basic/diluted EPS and ratios, and filing dates. P/E PNG saves the selected curve.

Static year-end snapshots

Company pages also retain a separate fiscal-year-end P/E table with filing links, available without JavaScript. That table is an annual summary, not the complete weekly chart. Year-end snapshots use a positive price on or before fiscal end, within 14 days. Company Markdown identifies the distinction and supplies weekly coverage and a raw JSON link containing price and EPS inputs.

Example

With annual diluted EPS of 5 carried forward, weekly closes of 100 and 110 give P/E of 20× and 22×. When the next annual observation reports EPS of 5.5, a close of 110 gives P/E of 20×. These are hypothetical inputs.

Retrospective timing and adjustments

Fiscal-period end is not the filing’s publication date. Stored annual facts may be reported or restated later, and supported later split adjustments apply. This view is retrospective, not a reconstruction of information investors knew on each date. Adjusted prices can include dividend effects and differ from actual unadjusted closes; differences in price and EPS split adjustment can affect comparability.

Ratios are uncapped. Tiny positive EPS can create extreme values. Missing prices and non-positive EPS leave gaps. Price sampling remains weekly, not daily, and no financial data refresh is implied. Check source dates and limitations.

Written and maintained by Cheng. Historical research, not investment advice. Sources and limitations.