Gaia, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAIA) shareholders won't be pleased to see that the share price has had a very rough month, dropping 26% and undoing the prior period's positive performance. Still, a bad month hasn't completely ruined the past year with the stock gaining 53%, which is great even in a bull market.

Even after such a large drop in price, you could still be forgiven for feeling indifferent about Gaia's P/S ratio of 1x, since the median price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio for the Entertainment industry in the United States is also close to 1.4x. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/S ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment.

How Has Gaia Performed Recently?

Gaia could be doing better as it's been growing revenue less than most other companies lately. It might be that many expect the uninspiring revenue performance to strengthen positively, which has kept the P/S ratio from falling. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a relatively elevated price for a company with this sort of growth profile.

Do Revenue Forecasts Match The P/S Ratio?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should be matching the industry for P/S ratios like Gaia's to be considered reasonable.

If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a worthy increase of 7.3%. The solid recent performance means it was also able to grow revenue by 14% in total over the last three years. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been respectable for the company.

Looking ahead now, revenue is anticipated to climb by 18% during the coming year according to the two analysts following the company. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry is forecast to only expand by 12%, which is noticeably less attractive.

In light of this, it's curious that Gaia's P/S sits in line with the majority of other companies. It may be that most investors aren't convinced the company can achieve future growth expectations.

The Final Word

With its share price dropping off a cliff, the P/S for Gaia looks to be in line with the rest of the Entertainment industry. Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.

We've established that Gaia currently trades on a lower than expected P/S since its forecasted revenue growth is higher than the wider industry. There could be some risks that the market is pricing in, which is preventing the P/S ratio from matching the positive outlook. However, if you agree with the analysts' forecasts, you may be able to pick up the stock at an attractive price.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Gaia (at least 1 which shouldn't be ignored), and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.