WallStSmart

Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares (ARM)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 6029% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $4.67B). ARM leads profitability with a 17.2% profit margin vs 3.0%. ARM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.90. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 53/100 (C-).

ARM

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.0Value: 4.7Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 3.75

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

ARMSignificantly Overvalued (-2323.2%)

Margin of Safety

-2323.2%

Fair Value

$5.17

Current Price

$157.07

$151.90 premium

UndervaluedFair: $5.17Overvalued
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

ARM3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.7510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$143.33B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Revenue GrowthGrowth
26.3%8/10

Revenue surging 26.3% year-over-year

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

ARM4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.904/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
177.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
21.4x2/10

Trading at 21.4x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
-12.3%2/10

Earnings declined 12.3%

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 : ARM

The strongest argument for ARM centers on Altman Z-Score, Market Cap, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 17.2% and operating margin at 15.4%. Revenue growth of 26.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : COST

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

Bear Case : ARM

The primary concerns for ARM are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 177.6x 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

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

ARM carries more volatility with a beta of 4.13 — expect wider price swings.

ARM is growing revenue faster at 26.3% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

COST scores higher overall (53/100 vs 52/100). 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.

Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTORS · USA

Arm Holdings plc architects, develops, and licenses central processing unit products and related technologies for semiconductor companies and original equipment manufacturers rely on to develop products.

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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