BJs Wholesale Club Holdings Inc (BJ)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)
BJ
BJs Wholesale Club Holdings Inc
$97.04
+0.35%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $12.72B
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$972.33
-0.25%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $444.46B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 1234% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $21.46B). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 2.7%. BJ appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.48. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 53/100 (C-).
BJ
Buy52
out of 100
Grade: C-
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-83.2%
Fair Value
$54.31
Current Price
$97.04
$42.73 premium
Margin of Safety
-74.5%
Fair Value
$558.44
Current Price
$972.33
$413.89 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
3.5% earnings growth
2.7% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.2%
Trading at 13.4x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BJ
The strongest argument for BJ centers on Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : BJ
The primary concerns for BJ are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Profit Margin. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : COST
The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 52.1x 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.
COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
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.
BJs Wholesale Club Holdings Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc., operates warehouse clubs on the East Coast of the United States. The company is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts.
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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