WallStSmart

The Andersons Inc (ANDE)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 2575% more annual revenue ($293.59B vs $10.98B). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 1.2%. ANDE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.90. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

ANDE

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 4.7Profit: 4.5Value: 8.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 4.07

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 3.7Quality: 6.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ANDEUndervalued (+40.4%)

Margin of Safety

+40.4%

Fair Value

$115.91

Current Price

$72.81

$43.10 discount

UndervaluedFair: $115.91Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for COST.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ANDE4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
11547.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 11547.0% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0710/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

PEG RatioValuation
0.908/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

COST6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$423.23B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
26.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 27 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.04B8/10

Generating 2.0B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ANDE4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Profit MarginProfitability
1.2%3/10

1.2% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
0.6%3/10

Operating margin of 0.6%

Debt/EquityHealth
1.033/10

Elevated debt levels

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-1.2%2/10

Revenue declined 1.2%

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
4.632/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
48.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ANDE

The strongest argument for ANDE centers on EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score, PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.90 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. Revenue growth of 21.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ANDE

The primary concerns for ANDE are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Thin 1.2% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 48.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ANDE profiles as a value stock while COST is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — expect wider price swings.

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

COST generates stronger free cash flow (2.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ANDE scores higher overall (61/100 vs 61/100). 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.

The Andersons Inc

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · FOOD DISTRIBUTION · USA

Andersons, Inc., an agricultural company, operates in the commerce, ethanol, plant nutrients, and railroad sectors in the United States and internationally. The company is headquartered in Maumee, Ohio.

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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