WallStSmart

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Amazon.com Inc generates 159% more annual revenue ($742.78B vs $286.27B). AMZN leads profitability with a 12.2% profit margin vs 3.0%. AMZN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.90. AMZN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (C+).

AMZN

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 6.5Value: 3.3Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.33

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

AMZNSignificantly Overvalued (-63.3%)

Margin of Safety

-63.3%

Fair Value

$166.05

Current Price

$272.68

$106.63 premium

UndervaluedFair: $166.05Overvalued
COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMZN4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$2.92T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

EPS GrowthGrowth
74.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 74.8% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
24.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
16.6%8/10

16.6% revenue growth

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$449.00B10/10

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

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

Areas to Watch

AMZN4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.904/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
32.5x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-18.17B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

COST4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.142/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMZN

The strongest argument for AMZN centers on Market Cap, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 16.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 21.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AMZN

The primary concerns for AMZN are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 52.6x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMZN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.47 — expect wider price swings.

COST is growing revenue faster at 21.5% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor INTERNET RETAIL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

AMZN scores higher overall (65/100 vs 61/100) and 16.6% revenue growth. 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.

Amazon.com Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · INTERNET RETAIL · USA

Amazon.com, Inc. is an American multinational technology company which focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook. The company has been referred to as one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world, as well as the world's most valuable brand.

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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.

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