Bank of Montreal (BMO)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)
BMO
Bank of Montreal
$136.39
-0.53%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $94.86B
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 755% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $33.48B). BMO leads profitability with a 27.1% profit margin vs 3.0%. BMO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.46. BMO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).
BMO
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B+
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+57.3%
Fair Value
$336.32
Current Price
$136.39
$199.93 discount
Margin of Safety
-74.7%
Fair Value
$558.15
Current Price
$974.86
$416.71 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 39.9%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 7.0B in free cash flow
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
No major concerns identified
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BMO
The strongest argument for BMO centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.1% and operating margin at 39.9%. PEG of 1.46 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.
Bear Case : BMO
No major red flags identified for BMO, but monitor valuation.
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
BMO profiles as a mature stock while COST is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
BMO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.16 — expect wider price swings.
BMO is growing revenue faster at 10.0% — sustainability is the question.
BMO generates stronger free cash flow (7.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
BMO scores higher overall (75/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 27.1% margins. 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.
Bank of Montreal
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Bank of Montreal offers diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
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.
Visit Website →Compare with Other BANKS - DIVERSIFIED Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?