WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsColumbia Banking System Inc (COLB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 15801% more annual revenue ($371.44B vs $2.34B). COLB leads profitability with a 28.0% profit margin vs 18.0%. COLB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.26. COLB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 79/100 (B+).

BRK-A

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

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

COLB

Strong Buy

79

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 10.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 3.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: -0.64

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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

COLB6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.4x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
50.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.7%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
39.9%10/10

Revenue surging 39.9% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
61.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 61.0% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
28.0%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Areas to Watch

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%

COLB3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.264/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.642/10

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 18.0% and operating margin at 33.0%.

Bull Case : COLB

The strongest argument for COLB centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.0% and operating margin at 50.7%. Revenue growth of 39.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BRK-A

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

Bear Case : COLB

The primary concerns for COLB are PEG Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

BRK-A carries more volatility with a beta of 0.70 — expect wider price swings.

COLB is growing revenue faster at 39.9% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

COLB scores higher overall (79/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 28.0% margins and 39.9% 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.

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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Columbia Banking System Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the banking holding company for Columbia State Bank providing a range of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individuals in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The company is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.

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