WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsCNO Financial Group Inc (CNO)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 8179% more annual revenue ($384.69B vs $4.65B). BRK-A leads profitability with a 22.3% profit margin vs 6.0%. CNO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.29. BRK-A earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

BRK-A

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.59

CNO

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.12

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$1.09T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
32.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.6%

EPS GrowthGrowth
107.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 107.8% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
22.3%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.179/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

CNO2 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
46.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 46.2% YoY

Areas to Watch

BRK-A1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
9.682/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

CNO3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Profit MarginProfitability
6.0%3/10

6.0% margin — thin

Debt/EquityHealth
1.763/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.122/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

The strongest argument for BRK-A centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.3% and operating margin at 32.6%.

Bull Case : CNO

The strongest argument for CNO centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 11.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.29 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : BRK-A

The primary concerns for BRK-A are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : CNO

The primary concerns for CNO are Profit Margin, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 1.76 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

CNO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.81 — expect wider price swings.

CNO is growing revenue faster at 11.6% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-A generates stronger free cash flow (5.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BRK-A scores higher overall (74/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 22.3% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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.

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%).

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CNO Financial Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - LIFE · USA

CNO Financial Group, Inc. develops, markets, and manages health insurance, annuities, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for the middle-income and senior markets in the United States. The company is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.

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