5 Low Price-to-Sales Stocks to Strengthen Your Investment Portfolio

Investing in stocks based on valuation metrics is a proven strategy for identifying opportunities with strong upside potential. While the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a popular tool for gauging value, it has its limitations, especially when evaluating companies that are unprofitable or still in their early growth phases.

In such cases, the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio becomes particularly valuable. By comparing a company’s market capitalization to its revenues, the P/S ratio offers a clearer picture of value when earnings are minimal or volatile.

If you are looking for growth at a discount, low P/S stocks can offer compelling opportunities. These stocks often trade below their intrinsic value, making them attractive to investors seeking upside potential without paying a premium. While the P/S ratio alone does not guarantee success, when combined with strong fundamentals and positive business momentum, it can signal a stock poised for a breakout.

KT Corporation KT, Asahi Kasei Corporation AHKSY, Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. APLE, PagSeguro Digital PAGS and First American Financial Corporation FAF are some companies with low price-to-sales ratios and the potential to offer higher returns.

What Is the Price-to-Sales Ratio?

While a loss-making company with a negative price-to-earnings ratio falls out of investor favor, its price-to-sales can indicate the hidden strength of the business. This underrated ratio is also used to identify a recovery situation or ensure a company's growth is not overvalued.

A stock’s price-to-sales ratio reflects how much investors pay for each dollar of revenue generated by a company.

If the price-to-sales ratio is 1, investors are paying $1 for every $1 of revenues generated by the company. A stock with a price-to-sales ratio below 1 is a good bargain, as investors need to pay less than a dollar for a dollar’s worth.

Thus, a stock with a lower price-to-sales ratio is a more suitable investment than a stock with a high price-to-sales ratio.

The price-to-sales ratio is often preferred over price-to-earnings, as companies can manipulate their earnings using various accounting measures. However, sales are harder to manipulate and are relatively reliable.

However, one should keep in mind that a company with high debt and a low price-to-sales ratio is not an ideal choice. The high debt level will have to be paid off at some point, leading to further share issuance, a rise in market cap and a higher price-to-sales ratio.

In any case, the price-to-sales ratio used in isolation cannot do the trick. One should analyze other ratios like Price/Earnings, Price/Book and Debt/Equity before arriving at any investment decision.

Screening Parameters

Price-to-Sales less than the Median Price-to-Sales for its Industry: The lower the price-to-sales ratio, the better.

Price-to-Earnings using F(1) estimate less than the Median Price-to-Earnings for its Industry: The lower, the better.

Price-to-Book (Common Equity) less than the Median Price-to-Book for its Industry: This is another parameter to ensure the value feature of a stock.

Debt-to-Equity (Most Recent) less than the Median Debt-to-Equity for its Industry: A company with less debt should have a stable price-to-sales ratio.

Current Price greater than or equal to $5: The stocks must be trading at a minimum of $5 or higher.

Zacks Rank less than or equal to #2 (Buy): Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 stocks are known to outperform, irrespective of the market environment.

Value Score less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Value Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank 1 or 2, offer the best opportunities in the value investing space.

Here are five of the 18 stocks that qualified the screening:

KT Corp is a leading integrated telecom and digital platform provider in South Korea, offering wireless, broadband and IPTV services. The company is expanding beyond connectivity into AI, cloud, data centers and enterprise digital transformation, aiming to diversify revenue streams. KT is also strengthening its media, fintech and content ecosystem to enhance customer engagement. Stable subscriber growth and bundled offerings support recurring cash flows, while B2B digital services provide long-term upside.

However, competition, regulatory pressures and heavy network investment requirements remain risks. Overall, KT combines defensive telecom earnings with emerging growth opportunities in AI-driven and platform-based services. KT currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Tokyo, Japan-based Asahi Kasei is a diversified industrial group operating across materials, homes and healthcare. The company produces petrochemicals, battery separators, electronics materials and fibers, while also building residential homes and providing construction solutions. Its healthcare segment includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices and critical care products, supporting stable long-term growth.

Asahi Kasei benefits from exposure to electric vehicle batteries, semiconductor demand and aging demographics in healthcare. However, earnings can be sensitive to cyclical chemicals demand and raw material costs. Overall, the company combines defensive healthcare revenues with growth opportunities in advanced materials and sustainability-focused innovations. AHKSY has a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

Apple Hospitality is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns the largest and most diverse portfolio of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. The company offers a fundamentally sound lodging REIT story built on portfolio quality, brand alignment and disciplined execution. It owns a geographically diversified collection of room-focused hotels affiliated with leading brands, giving it broad exposure to leisure, corporate and group demand.

Management has demonstrated prudent capital allocation through selective acquisitions, timely dispositions and consistent reinvestment to keep properties competitive. A flexible balance sheet and ample liquidity provide resilience across cycles. While recent demand softness weighed on performance, leisure trends remain supportive and operational agility positions the portfolio to benefit as business travel normalizes, supporting long-term cash flow stability and shareholder returns. APLE has a Value Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

São Paulo, Brazil-based PagSeguro Digital offers a broad suite of financial and payment solutions tailored for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small to mid-sized businesses across Brazil and select international markets. Its offerings include digital banking, wire transfers, tax payments, ATM access, and POS and online payment tools. With a tech-driven, integrated ecosystem, PagSeguro delivers accessible services that support daily operations and drive business growth.

PAGS is strengthening its digital banking platform, expanding services for consumers and merchants, while adjusting credit offerings to manage funding cost pressures. Its shift toward secured lending reflects a disciplined, risk-aware strategy. With a focus on innovation, sustainable growth and prudent financial management, PagSeguro is well-positioned to seize long-term opportunities in Brazil’s dynamic digital finance space. PAGS currently has a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2.

First American Financial presents a solid investment case, supported by its leadership in the U.S. title insurance market and strong pricing power in a concentrated industry. The company is focused on expanding its core title insurance and settlement services business while strengthening distribution relationships and broadening its international footprint. Strategic acquisitions and investments in technology, data and AI are enhancing efficiency and expanding its title plant coverage, positioning the company well for the next real estate cycle.

Additionally, consistent shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases, supported by a high-quality investment portfolio and improving profitability, make the stock attractive for long-term investors seeking stability and income. FAF currently has a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2.

Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?

Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.

Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.

See Stocks Free >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

KT Corporation (KT): Free Stock Analysis Report

First American Financial Corporation (FAF): Free Stock Analysis Report

Asahi Kasei Corp. (AHKSY): Free Stock Analysis Report

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (APLE): Free Stock Analysis Report

PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research