WallStSmart

Foreign Trade Bank of Latin America Inc (BLX)vsBerkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 116908% more annual revenue ($371.44B vs $317.45M). BLX leads profitability with a 71.5% profit margin vs 18.0%. BLX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.77. BLX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

BLX

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 6.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9

BRK-A

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 3.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.46

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BLX4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
71.5%10/10

Keeps 72 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
68.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 68.3%

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$1.02T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
33.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.0%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.219/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
15.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.99B8/10

Generating 5.0B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

BLX4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.774/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Market CapQuality
$1.99B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Debt/EquityHealth
2.401/10

Elevated debt levels

BRK-A4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
9.682/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.7%2/10

Revenue declined 0.7%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-2.5%2/10

Earnings declined 2.5%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BLX

The strongest argument for BLX centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 71.5% and operating margin at 68.3%. Revenue growth of 12.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : BRK-A

The strongest argument for BRK-A centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.0% and operating margin at 33.0%.

Bear Case : BLX

The primary concerns for BLX are PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.40 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : BRK-A

The primary concerns for BRK-A are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BLX profiles as a mature stock while BRK-A is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

BLX carries more volatility with a beta of 0.82 — expect wider price swings.

BLX is growing revenue faster at 12.1% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-A generates stronger free cash flow (5.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BLX scores higher overall (66/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 71.5% margins and 12.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong 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.

Foreign Trade Bank of Latin America Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, SA, a multinational bank, is primarily engaged in financing foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company is headquartered in Panama City, the Republic of Panama.

Visit Website →

Berkshire Hathaway Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The company wholly owns GEICO, Duracell, Dairy Queen, BNSF, Lubrizol, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, Long & Foster, FlightSafety International, Pampered Chef, Forest River, and NetJets, and also owns 38.6% of Pilot Flying J; and significant minority holdings in public companies Kraft Heinz Company (26.7%), American Express (18.8%), The Coca-Cola Company (9.32%), Bank of America (11.9%), and Apple (6.3%).

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?