Which characteristic is common to value stocks?

Value stocks are typically characterized by low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios relative to their earnings. Investors often seek value stocks because they represent companies that are considered undervalued in the market. A low P/E ratio indicates that the stock is trading at a discount to its fundamental earnings, suggesting that there may be potential for price appreciation over time as market perceptions change and the true value of the company is recognized.

This characteristic differentiates value stocks from growth stocks, which usually have high P/E ratios reflecting expected higher future growth rates in earnings. Consequently, value investors look for stocks that could be undervalued based on their earnings performance, while the low P/E ratio is often a signal that the stock may be a solid investment opportunity.