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Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B) Explained

The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is a valuation metric comparing a company's market capitalization to its book value of equity. It can indicate whether a stock is undervalued or overvalued by comparing its market price to its net asset value. A lower P/B ratio may suggest undervaluation, while a higher ratio may indicate overvaluation. However, P/B should be used with industry context, as some sectors naturally trade at higher or lower multiples. This guide provides an overview of how the P/B ratio works, its applications, and limitations.

Quick Answer This page explains the price-to-book (P/B) ratio, a fundamental valuation metric comparing a company's market cap to its book value. The guide details when P/B is most applicable, particularly for asset-heavy firms, and how to interpret high vs. low ratios in context. The shortlist includes firms such as JPM and BAC to exemplify real-world P/B valuations.
Examples3Screens60Average score58.50Updated2026-04-10Prices as ofOct 26, 2026 session

Figures come from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP). If FMP has no figure for a ticker, a price or fundamental may come from a Yahoo Finance fallback, or a price from an Alpaca fallback. SEC EDGAR is used only for filing links and company identity details (legal name, address), never for figures.

MoonshotScore V2 rates eligible US-listed companies from 0 to 100 against their sector peers on five pillars: Business Quality (weight 26), Financial Safety (weight 20), Valuation (weight 18), Growth Durability (weight 16) and Momentum (weight 12). It reads no news-sentiment or analyst data, and it is not a probability of future returns.

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Understanding the Price-to-Book Ratio

The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is calculated by dividing a company's market price per share by its book value per share. Book value represents the net asset value of a company, or total assets less total liabilities. The P/B ratio can help investors assess how much they are paying for a company's net assets. It is most relevant for capital-intensive industries such as banking, where asset values are a key driver of business value. Price-to-book can also be useful for evaluating companies with negative earnings or inconsistent profitability.

Worked Example: These Figures Today

The companies used as examples above, with the current figures behind them. Illustrations of the metric — not a ranking, not a shortlist, and not a recommendation.

Example companies for this topic, listed in the order the guide introduces them — prices, day change and market cap as of the Oct 26, 2026 trading session (FMP quote); P/E and MoonshotScore from our latest stored data. Source: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance.
Ticker Company Price Change Market Cap MoonshotScore
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. $334.04 +0.74% $887.9B 34
BAC Bank of America Corporation $50.52 -0.08% $349.7B 83
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc. $548.56 +1.17% $1.2T —

Shortlist: Banks by P/B Ratio

This shortlist highlights three major financial institutions: * **JPM:** { "label": "JPM", "href": "/stock/jpm" } is a leading global financial services firm. * **BAC:** { "label": "BAC", "href": "/stock/bac" } is one of the largest banks in the United States. * **BRK-B:** { "label": "BRK-B", "href": "/stock/brk-b" } is a diversified holding company with significant investments in the financial sector.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not financial advice and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.
“MoonshotScore rates a US-listed stock 0 to 100 using five sector-relative pillars. Higher means stronger numbers across business quality, safety, valuation, growth and momentum. Eligible common stocks and ADRs only; funds, ETFs, warrants, units, SPACs, preferreds, and notes carry none. It is built for education and deeper due diligence, not financial advice.”
— Stock Expert AI published methodology (how MoonshotScore works)

Questions worth resolving before acting on the screen

What are the limitations of the P/B ratio?

The P/B ratio relies on book value, which is based on historical accounting data and may not reflect the current market value of assets. Intangible assets, such as brand value or intellectual property, are often not fully captured in book value, which can skew the P/B ratio. P/B is most effective when comparing similar companies in the same sector.

When is the P/B ratio most useful?

The P/B ratio is most useful for evaluating companies in capital-intensive industries, such as banking, insurance, and real estate, where asset values are a primary driver of value. It can also be helpful for identifying potentially undervalued companies with distressed earnings or undergoing restructuring.

How does the P/B ratio relate to other valuation metrics?

The P/B ratio is often used in conjunction with other valuation metrics, such as the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, to provide a more comprehensive view of a company's valuation. While P/E relates price to earnings and P/S relates price to revenue, P/B relates price to net assets. Combining these ratios can provide a more balanced perspective. See { "label": "related guides", "href": "/guide" }.

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Stock Expert AI provides data and analysis tools for educational purposes. This is not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Figures come from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP). If FMP has no figure for a ticker, a price or fundamental may come from a Yahoo Finance fallback, or a price from an Alpaca fallback. SEC EDGAR is used only for filing links and company identity details (legal name, address), never for figures.