The SunOpta Inc. (NASDAQ:STKL) share price has done very well over the last month, posting an excellent gain of 25%. Looking back a bit further, it's encouraging to see the stock is up 84% in the last year.

Even after such a large jump in price, you could still be forgiven for feeling indifferent about SunOpta's P/S ratio of 1.2x, since the median price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio for the Food industry in the United States is also close to 0.9x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.

How SunOpta Has Been Performing

Recent times have been advantageous for SunOpta as its revenues have been rising faster than most other companies. One possibility is that the P/S ratio is moderate because investors think this strong revenue performance might be about to tail off. If not, then existing shareholders have reason to be feeling optimistic about the future direction of the share price.

Is There Some Revenue Growth Forecasted For SunOpta?

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

If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 17%. However, this wasn't enough as the latest three year period has seen the company endure a nasty 13% drop in revenue in aggregate. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been undesirable for the company.

Turning to the outlook, the next year should generate growth of 9.1% as estimated by the seven analysts watching the company. With the industry only predicted to deliver 2.9%, the company is positioned for a stronger revenue result.

In light of this, it's curious that SunOpta'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 Bottom Line On SunOpta's P/S

SunOpta's stock has a lot of momentum behind it lately, which has brought its P/S level with the rest of the 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.

Despite enticing revenue growth figures that outpace the industry, SunOpta's P/S isn't quite what we'd expect. When we see a strong revenue outlook, with growth outpacing the industry, we can only assume potential uncertainty around these figures are what might be placing slight pressure on the P/S ratio. 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 2 warning signs with SunOpta, 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.