Blue Coat Systems Inc.

Blue Coat Systems Inc. is a NASDAQ listed security that has been trading in a range between $12.86 and $56.32 over the past year. With 15,502,300 shares outstanding, a recent price of $53.33 gives a total market capitalization of $794,182,822. While there are certainly larger companies, Blue Coat Systems Inc. has definitely earned its place in the pack. Last year, Blue Coat Systems Inc. created $-0.50 in earnings for every share outstanding.

Blue Coat Systems Inc. is currently priced by the market at 0.00 times last year’s earnings. Many trading multiples around the world are quite attractive these days, but don’t be fooled. A Price to Earnings ratio of 0 simply means that the security didn’t make any money last year.

With a share price over $50 a share and earnings per share below $1 a share, Blue Coat Systems Inc. is unlikely to be an interesting value proposition. Consistent earnings are the key to high valuations and this security is not on its way.