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Peter Lynch

Peter Lynch GARP — Growth at Reasonable Price

Scan 5,000+ stocks daily for Peter Lynch GARP tenbagger candidates. PEG ratio, earnings growth, and valuation discipline applied. Each setup graded A+ to B.

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What is this pattern?

Peter Lynch's Growth at a Reasonable Price methodology is built on a deceptively simple insight: the best investments are companies with strong, predictable earnings growth that the market has not yet fully priced in. During his tenure managing Fidelity's Magellan Fund from 1977 to 1990, Lynch used this approach to achieve a 29.2% average annual return — one of the greatest track records in investing history.

The centerpiece of Lynch's methodology is the PEG ratio — the price-to-earnings ratio divided by the earnings growth rate. A PEG of 1.0 means a stock is fairly valued relative to its growth. A PEG below 1.0 suggests the market is underpricing the company's growth, creating an opportunity. Lynch particularly favored stocks with PEG ratios below 0.75, which he considered significantly undervalued.

Beyond the PEG ratio, Lynch emphasized understanding the business behind the numbers. He categorized stocks into six types — slow growers, stalwarts, fast growers, cyclicals, turnarounds, and asset plays — and applied different criteria to each. Our scanner focuses on the fast growers and stalwarts that most closely align with the GARP philosophy: companies with 15-30% earnings growth, reasonable valuations, consistent revenue growth, and business models that can be understood by studying the product or service they provide.

Origin & History

Developed by Peter Lynch during his management of Fidelity's Magellan Fund from 1977 to 1990, where he achieved a 29.2% average annual return — making Magellan the best-performing mutual fund in the world. Lynch published his methodology in One Up on Wall Street (1989) and Beating the Street (1993). The PEG ratio, which Lynch popularized as the centerpiece of GARP investing, was later adopted broadly by Wall Street analysts and is now reported by most financial data services.

Detection Criteria

Our scanner evaluates the following criteria when detecting Peter Lynch GARP — Growth at Reasonable Price setups across 5,000+ stocks daily.

PEG ratio screening
The PEG ratio is the core of GARP investing — it measures whether you are paying a fair price for the company's growth. A PEG below 1.0 suggests undervaluation relative to growth.
Earnings growth rate and consistency
Consistent earnings growth of 15%+ annually indicates a business with sustainable competitive advantages and a large addressable market.
Revenue growth trajectory
Revenue growth validates that earnings growth is driven by real business expansion, not just cost-cutting or financial engineering.
Valuation relative to growth
Comparing the P/E ratio to the earnings growth rate ensures you are not overpaying for growth. Lynch avoided stocks where the valuation had already priced in years of future growth.
Institutional ownership trends
Rising institutional ownership indicates that professional investors are recognizing the growth opportunity. Lynch liked stocks that were not yet over-owned by institutions.

Grading Breakdown

For GARP setups, an A+ grade means a PEG ratio below 0.75 with earnings growing 20%+ annually, consistent revenue growth, and reasonable valuation relative to the sector. This is not a prediction of future price movement — it is a way to prioritize which charts deserve your attention first.

A+
Textbook setup — strong confluence across all criteria. Highest conviction.
A
High-quality setup worth watching closely. Minor criteria may be slightly off.
B+
Decent setup with some reservations. One or two criteria fall short of ideal.
B
Pattern detected but lower conviction. Use as a watchlist candidate, not a trade trigger.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Relying solely on the PEG ratio without checking earnings quality — one-time gains, accounting changes, or non-recurring items can distort the ratio
Ignoring the business model — Lynch emphasized understanding what the company does and why its growth is sustainable before investing
Buying high-PEG stocks assuming growth will accelerate — the GARP approach requires current evidence of growth at a reasonable price, not speculation about future acceleration

How to Trade This Pattern

Entry

Buy when a company has a PEG ratio below 1.0 (ideally below 0.75) with confirmed earnings growth of 15%+ annually, consistent revenue growth, and the stock is not overextended technically.

Stop Loss

Use a fundamental stop — if earnings growth decelerates below 15% or the PEG ratio expands above 1.5, reevaluate the position. Technical stop at 15-20% below entry for risk management.

Price Target

Lynch's tenbagger methodology implies holding for years. The target is a doubling or more of the investment as the market gradually recognizes the undervalued growth. Review the position quarterly.

This is educational content only. Not financial advice. Always do your own research and manage risk appropriately.

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AskLivermore scans 5,000+ NASDAQ and NYSE stocks daily · Not financial advice · Past performance does not guarantee future results