Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) P/E Ratio History
Deep ValueTrading at -1.5x · 0th percentile of 5-year range · Significant discount to historical valuation · Data 1990–2024
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P/E Ratio Analysis
As of June 22, 2026, Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.5x, with a stock price of $9.28 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $-2.64.
The current P/E is 105% below its 5-year average of 29.0x. Over the past five years, LEE's P/E has ranged from a low of 2.4x to a high of 435.5x, placing the current valuation at the 0th percentile of its historical range.
Compared to the Communication Services sector median P/E of 15.3x, LEE trades at a 110% discount to its sector peers. The sector includes 110 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.1x to 161.8x.
Relative to the broader market, LEE trades at a notable discount to the S&P 500 median P/E of 24.4x. Investors should consider the company's growth prospects, competitive position, and earnings quality when evaluating whether the current valuation is justified.
For a comprehensive intrinsic value estimate using discounted cash flow analysis, see our LEE DCF Valuation Calculator →
Note: P/E ratio is just one valuation metric. It does not account for balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, or growth sustainability. Always conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
LEE Cross-Benchmark Valuation
How does the current P/E compare to sector peers and the broader market?
LEE P/E vs Peers
News and magazine publishers peers sorted by market cap
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12B | 35.0 | 1.23 | +18% | |
| $16B | 35.5 | - | +72%Best | |
| $5B | 54.7 | - | -86% | |
| $4.5T | 34.0 | 1.14Best | +34% | |
| $1.5T | 24.6Lowest | 1.33 | -2% |
Lower P/E can signal a discount or weaker growth expectations; PEG adds growth context.
LEE Historical P/E Data (1990–2024)
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Period End | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 Q4 | Sep 30 2024 | $8.71 | $0.02 | 435.5x | +2156% |
| FY2022 Q3 | Jun 26 2022 | $18.86 | $1.71 | 11.0x | -43% |
| FY2022 Q2 | Mar 27 2022 | $26.54 | $2.31 | 11.5x | -40% |
| FY2022 Q1 | Dec 26 2021 | $38.99 | $3.27 | 11.9x | -38% |
| FY2021 Q4 | - | $22.64 | $3.87 | 5.9x | -70% |
| FY2021 Q3 | Jun 27 2021 | $29.75 | $2.82 | 10.5x | -45% |
| FY2021 Q2 | Mar 28 2021 | $22.37 | $2.04 | 11.0x | -43% |
| FY2021 Q1 | Dec 27 2020 | $11.80 | $1.30 | 9.1x | -53% |
| FY2020 Q2 | Mar 29 2020 | $11.30 | $1.06 | 10.7x | -45% |
| FY2020 Q1 | Dec 29 2019 | $13.90 | $1.52 | 9.1x | -53% |
| FY2019 Q4 | Sep 30 2019 | $20.40 | $2.42 | 8.4x | -56% |
| FY2019 Q3 | Jun 30 2019 | $22.40 | $3.02 | 7.4x | -62% |
| FY2019 Q2 | Mar 31 2019 | $33.00 | $2.82 | 11.7x | -39% |
| FY2019 Q1 | Dec 30 2018 | $21.30 | $3.70 | 5.8x | -70% |
| FY2018 Q4 | Sep 30 2018 | $26.50 | $8.20 | 3.2x | -83% |
| FY2018 Q3 | Jun 24 2018 | $23.00 | $8.10 | 2.8x | -85% |
| FY2018 Q2 | Mar 25 2018 | $20.00 | $8.40 | 2.4x | -88% |
| FY2018 Q1 | Dec 24 2017 | $23.50 | $9.10 | 2.6x | -87% |
| FY2017 Q4 | Sep 30 2017 | $22.00 | $5.00 | 4.4x | -77% |
| FY2017 Q3 | Jun 25 2017 | $19.00 | $4.50 | 4.2x | -78% |
| FY2017 Q2 | Mar 26 2017 | $26.00 | $4.20 | 6.2x | -68% |
| FY2017 Q1 | Dec 25 2016 | $30.00 | $6.70 | 4.5x | -77% |
| FY2016 Q4 | Sep 30 2016 | $37.50 | $6.60 | 5.7x | -71% |
| FY2016 Q3 | Jun 26 2016 | $20.00 | $8.30 | 2.4x | -88% |
| FY2016 Q2 | Mar 27 2016 | $17.80 | $7.80 | 2.3x | -88% |
| FY2016 Q1 | Dec 27 2015 | $16.70 | $4.50 | 3.7x | -81% |
| FY2015 Q4 | Sep 30 2015 | $20.80 | $4.20 | 5.0x | -74% |
| FY2015 Q3 | Jun 28 2015 | $32.10 | $3.00 | 10.7x | -45% |
| FY2015 Q2 | Mar 29 2015 | $30.80 | $0.84 | 36.7x | +90% |
| FY2015 Q1 | Dec 28 2014 | $37.40 | $0.84 | 44.5x | +131% |
| FY2014 Q4 | - | $33.80 | $1.30 | 26.0x | +35% |
| FY2013 Q3 | Jun 30 2013 | $20.40 | $0.46 | 44.3x | +130% |
| FY2011 Q2 | Mar 27 2011 | $26.30 | $7.23 | 3.6x | -81% |
| FY2011 Q1 | Dec 26 2010 | $24.90 | $8.26 | 3.0x | -84% |
| FY2010 Q4 | - | $26.80 | $10.26 | 2.6x | -86% |
| FY2010 Q3 | Jun 27 2010 | $29.50 | $9.49 | 3.1x | -84% |
| FY2010 Q2 | Mar 28 2010 | $31.60 | $1.78 | 17.8x | -8% |
| FY2008 Q1 | Dec 30 2007 | $145.30 | $16.65 | 8.7x | -55% |
| FY2007 Q4 | Sep 30 2007 | $155.70 | $17.65 | 8.8x | -54% |
| FY2007 Q3 | Jun 30 2007 | $208.60 | $15.70 | 13.3x | -31% |
| FY2007 Q2 | Mar 31 2007 | $300.50 | $15.80 | 19.0x | -1% |
| FY2007 Q1 | Dec 31 2006 | $310.60 | $16.40 | 18.9x | -2% |
| FY2006 Q4 | Sep 30 2006 | $252.40 | $15.60 | 16.2x | -16% |
| FY2006 Q3 | Jun 30 2006 | $269.50 | $16.07 | 16.8x | -13% |
| FY2006 Q2 | Mar 31 2006 | $332.90 | $15.17 | 21.9x | +14% |
| FY2006 Q1 | Dec 31 2005 | $369.10 | $15.97 | 23.1x | +20% |
| FY2005 Q4 | Sep 30 2005 | $424.80 | $16.97 | 25.0x | +30% |
| FY2005 Q3 | - | $400.90 | $18.89 | 21.2x | +10% |
| FY2005 Q2 | - | $434.00 | $20.19 | 21.5x | +11% |
| FY2005 Q1 | Dec 31 2004 | $460.80 | $19.69 | 23.4x | +21% |
| FY2004 Q4 | - | $463.40 | $19.19 | 24.1x | +25% |
| FY2004 Q3 | Jun 30 2004 | $480.10 | $18.76 | 25.6x | +33% |
| FY2004 Q2 | Mar 31 2004 | $451.80 | $18.16 | 24.9x | +29% |
| FY2004 Q1 | Dec 31 2003 | $436.50 | $17.96 | 24.3x | +26% |
| FY2003 Q4 | - | $386.70 | $17.56 | 22.0x | +14% |
| FY2003 Q3 | Jun 30 2003 | $375.30 | $17.47 | 21.5x | +11% |
| FY2003 Q2 | Mar 31 2003 | $315.20 | $19.77 | 15.9x | -17% |
| FY2003 Q1 | - | $335.20 | $19.37 | 17.3x | -10% |
| FY2002 Q4 | Sep 30 2002 | $328.60 | $18.27 | 18.0x | -7% |
| FY2002 Q3 | Jun 30 2002 | $350.00 | $17.11 | 20.5x | +6% |
| FY2002 Q2 | Mar 31 2002 | $369.00 | $13.61 | 27.1x | +40% |
| FY2002 Q1 | Dec 31 2001 | $363.70 | $13.71 | 26.5x | +37% |
| FY2001 Q4 | Sep 30 2001 | $316.70 | $71.61 | 4.4x | -77% |
| FY2001 Q3 | Jun 30 2001 | $330.00 | $72.90 | 4.5x | -77% |
| FY2001 Q2 | Mar 31 2001 | $304.50 | $73.90 | 4.1x | -79% |
| FY2001 Q1 | Dec 31 2000 | $298.13 | $74.00 | 4.0x | -79% |
| FY2000 Q4 | Sep 30 2000 | $288.75 | $18.90 | 15.3x | -21% |
| FY2000 Q3 | Jun 30 2000 | $233.13 | $18.33 | 12.7x | -34% |
| FY2000 Q2 | Mar 31 2000 | $261.25 | $18.03 | 14.5x | -25% |
| FY2000 Q1 | Dec 31 1999 | $319.38 | $17.63 | 18.1x | -6% |
| FY1999 Q4 | - | $273.75 | $15.23 | 18.0x | -7% |
| FY1999 Q3 | Jun 30 1999 | $305.00 | $14.78 | 20.6x | +7% |
| FY1999 Q2 | Mar 31 1999 | $290.00 | $14.48 | 20.0x | +4% |
| FY1999 Q1 | - | $315.00 | $14.58 | 21.6x | +12% |
| FY1998 Q4 | Sep 30 1998 | $259.38 | $13.78 | 18.8x | -3% |
| FY1998 Q3 | - | $306.25 | $13.51 | 22.7x | +17% |
| FY1998 Q2 | - | $335.63 | $13.41 | 25.0x | +30% |
| FY1998 Q1 | Dec 31 1997 | $295.63 | $13.21 | 22.4x | +16% |
| FY1997 Q4 | - | $283.75 | $13.61 | 20.8x | +8% |
| FY1997 Q3 | Jun 30 1997 | $263.75 | $10.86 | 24.3x | +26% |
| FY1997 Q2 | Mar 31 1997 | $242.50 | $10.56 | 23.0x | +19% |
| FY1997 Q1 | - | $232.50 | $10.26 | 22.7x | +17% |
| FY1996 Q4 | Sep 30 1996 | $228.75 | $9.56 | 23.9x | +24% |
| FY1996 Q3 | Jun 30 1996 | $236.25 | $12.12 | 19.5x | +1% |
| FY1996 Q2 | Mar 31 1996 | $211.25 | $11.92 | 17.7x | -8% |
| FY1996 Q1 | Dec 31 1995 | $230.00 | $12.12 | 19.0x | -2% |
| FY1995 Q4 | Sep 30 1995 | $216.88 | $12.52 | 17.3x | -10% |
| FY1995 Q3 | Jun 30 1995 | $190.63 | $12.55 | 15.2x | -21% |
| FY1995 Q2 | Mar 31 1995 | $177.50 | $12.25 | 14.5x | -25% |
| FY1995 Q1 | Dec 31 1994 | $172.50 | $11.85 | 14.6x | -25% |
| FY1994 Q4 | Sep 30 1994 | $172.50 | $11.05 | 15.6x | -19% |
| FY1994 Q3 | - | $160.00 | $10.59 | 15.1x | -22% |
| FY1994 Q2 | - | $175.63 | $10.09 | 17.4x | -10% |
| FY1994 Q1 | Dec 31 1993 | $175.00 | $9.39 | 18.6x | -3% |
| FY1993 Q4 | - | $156.88 | $8.99 | 17.5x | -10% |
| FY1993 Q3 | Jun 30 1993 | $136.25 | $8.79 | 15.5x | -20% |
| FY1993 Q2 | Mar 31 1993 | $148.13 | $8.69 | 17.0x | -12% |
| FY1993 Q1 | - | $152.50 | $8.69 | 17.5x | -9% |
| FY1992 Q4 | Sep 30 1992 | $160.00 | $8.29 | 19.3x | -0% |
| FY1992 Q3 | - | $136.25 | $7.62 | 17.9x | -7% |
| FY1992 Q2 | - | $134.38 | $6.72 | 20.0x | +4% |
| FY1992 Q1 | - | $116.25 | $6.52 | 17.8x | -8% |
| FY1991 Q4 | Sep 30 1991 | $113.75 | $6.92 | 16.4x | -15% |
| FY1991 Q3 | Jun 30 1991 | $123.75 | $8.73 | 14.2x | -27% |
| FY1991 Q2 | Mar 31 1991 | $141.25 | $9.43 | 15.0x | -22% |
| FY1991 Q1 | Dec 31 1990 | $123.75 | $9.23 | 13.4x | -31% |
| FY1990 Q4 | Sep 30 1990 | $101.25 | $9.03 | 11.2x | -42% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 19.3x
Intrinsic Valuation
DCF models, multiple analysis, and analyst estimates.
Historical Returns
36+ years return with dividends reinvested.
DCA Calculator
See how regular investing compounds over time.
Peer Comparison
Compare growth, multiples, and margins vs sector.
LEE — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying LEE stock.
What is LEE's P/E ratio?
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) trailing twelve-month P/E ratio is -1.5x, based on TTM diluted EPS of $-2.64. The 5-year average P/E is 29.0x and the historical range spans 2.4x to 435.5x.
Is LEE stock overvalued or undervalued?
LEE trades at -1.5x P/E, below its 5-year average of 29.0x. At the 0th percentile of its historical range (2.4x–435.5x), the stock is priced at a discount to its own history.
Is LEE stock expensive?
No, LEE is not expensive on a historical basis. The current P/E of -1.5x is below the 5-year average of 29.0x and sits at the 0th percentile of its valuation range.
What is LEE's historical P/E range?
Over the past 5 years, LEE's P/E ratio has ranged from 2.4x to 435.5x, with a median of 9.1x and an average of 29.0x. The current P/E of -1.5x places the stock at the 0th percentile of this range. Full historical data spans 1990–2024.
How does LEE's P/E compare to the S&P 500?
LEE trades at -1.5x P/E versus the S&P 500 median of 24.4x. The 106% discount to the market suggests lower growth expectations or perceived higher risk.
How does LEE's valuation compare to Communication Services peers?
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated P/E of -1.5x compares to the Communication Services sector median of 15.3x. The discount suggests lower growth expectations, weaker margins, or higher perceived risk relative to peers. See the peer comparison table on this page for ticker-by-ticker P/E and PEG.
What is LEE's PEG ratio?
LEE PEG ratio is N/A, based on a P/E of -1.5x and EPS growth of -41.4%. PEG normalises P/E by growth and helps compare stocks with different earnings trajectories.
What is LEE's earnings yield?
LEE earnings yield is N/A, the inverse of its -1.5x P/E ratio. Earnings yield represents the percentage of each dollar invested that the company earns. It can be compared directly to bond yields to assess relative attractiveness of stocks versus fixed income.