‹ All questions

Which stocks are cheap against their own history?

Some companies always trade at high multiples and some never do, so comparing a P/E with the market’s can mislead. Comparing a stock with its own past shows whether investors are paying more or less than usual for the same business.

Updated Oct 6, 2026

56
vs own past

Fair against its own past

The typical S&P 500 stock is cheaper against its earnings than in 56% of its own past ten years. 128 stocks are cheaper than they have been 80% of the time; POOL and TTD lead among those whose earnings are still growing.

Median P/E 22.0x128 at the cheap end of their range401 companies scored
Market cheapness against the last ten years

Over time

Select the market or any stock below. Score is cheapness against the stock’s own past; Value is the P/E itself.

POOL · Pool Corporation
P/E 14.6x against a 10-year median of 29.6x.
20x40xJan 17Jan 18Jan 19Jan 20Jan 21Jan 22Jan 23Jan 24Jan 25Jan 26
P/E10-year median 29.6x

The 60 cheapest against their own past

Ranked by how cheap today’s P/E is within the stock’s own range since 2016. Earnings growth helps separate bargains from businesses in trouble. Select a column to sort.

Stockvs own pastP/E now10-yr medianEarnings, 1YSectorP/E, 3 years

How to read this page

How it’s measured. Trailing twelve-month earnings per share, as reported, against the daily share price since 2016. A score of 100 means the stock is the cheapest it has been in that time. Stocks whose earnings more than doubled in a year are left out, since that is usually a one-off gain, as is real estate, where earnings understate cash generation.

Sources. Daily prices and company financial statements from Financial Modeling Prep.

Earnings are as reported, including one-off items, so a single large charge or gain can move the P/E. Stocks without positive earnings today are left out.

A stock is often cheap against its past because its earnings are expected to fall or the business has changed. Cheapness describes the price, not what comes next.

This page is information, not investment advice. About our data and methods ›

Forward P/E on Stox ›

More on value

Is the market expensive?60Pricey›What returns should stocks deliver over the next decade?99History points to low returns›Is the market rising on earnings or on hope?100Mostly earnings›Which stocks are cheap for their growth?83 trade below a PEG of 1›Which stocks are cheapest on cash flow?150 yield 5% or more›Which stocks fell even though the business grew?39 growing companies fell›Which stocks are cheaper than their rivals?216 cheaper than their rivals›Which stocks trade below book value?19 below book›Which stocks are priced for perfection?24 at 40× earnings or more›Which companies have more cash than debt?72 hold more cash than debt›Which companies could struggle with their debt?38 strained›

See all questions ›