WallStSmart

AbbVie Inc (ABBV)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 368% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $61.16B). ABBV leads profitability with a 6.9% profit margin vs 3.0%. ABBV appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.49. ABBV earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).

ABBV

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 4.0Profit: 8.0Value: 4.7Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.39

COST

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ABBVSignificantly Overvalued (-1190.8%)

Margin of Safety

-1190.8%

Fair Value

$16.05

Current Price

$207.18

$191.13 premium

UndervaluedFair: $16.05Overvalued
COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-74.7%)

Margin of Safety

-74.7%

Fair Value

$558.15

Current Price

$974.86

$416.71 premium

UndervaluedFair: $558.15Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ABBV6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$362.83B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

PEG RatioValuation
0.4910/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Return on EquityProfitability
62.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 62 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
34.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.1%

Debt/EquityHealth
-21.0610/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.89B8/10

Generating 4.9B in free cash flow

COST5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$432.25B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
29.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.71B8/10

Generating 1.7B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ABBV4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Profit MarginProfitability
6.9%3/10

6.9% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
87.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

EPS GrowthGrowth
-88.7%2/10

Earnings declined 88.7%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.392/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

COST4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
13.5x4/10

Trading at 13.5x book value

Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.412/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ABBV

The strongest argument for ABBV centers on Market Cap, PEG Ratio, Return on Equity. PEG of 0.49 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : ABBV

The primary concerns for ABBV are Profit Margin, P/E Ratio, EPS Growth. A P/E of 87.0x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 50.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.

ABBV is growing revenue faster at 10.0% — sustainability is the question.

ABBV generates stronger free cash flow (4.9B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

ABBV scores higher overall (63/100 vs 53/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

AbbVie Inc

HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA

AbbVie is an American publicly traded biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013. It originated as a spin-off of Abbott Laboratories.

Costco Wholesale Corp

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA

Costco Wholesale Corporation (doing business as Costco Wholesale and also known simply as Costco) is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of membership-only (needing a membership to shop there) big-box retail stores. As of 2020, Costco was the fifth largest retailer in the world, and the world's largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine as of 2016.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?