WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsFirst Merchants Corporation Depository Shares (FRMEP)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 58757% more annual revenue ($375.39B vs $637.81M). FRMEP leads profitability with a 31.2% profit margin vs 19.3%. FRMEP trades at a lower P/E of 6.8x. BRK-A earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

BRK-A

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.59

FRMEP

Hold

39

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 4.0Profit: 6.5Value: 6.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -0.11

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$1.07T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

EPS GrowthGrowth
119.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 119.6% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.189/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
14.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$5.45B8/10

Generating 5.5B in free cash flow

FRMEP4 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
6.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
0.6x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.2%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
22.6%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 22.6%

Areas to Watch

BRK-A2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.4%4/10

4.4% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
9.682/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

FRMEP4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.4%3/10

ROE of 7.4% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-2.5%2/10

Revenue declined 2.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-52.1%2/10

Earnings declined 52.1%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.112/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

The strongest argument for BRK-A centers on Market Cap, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.3% and operating margin at 14.3%.

Bull Case : FRMEP

The strongest argument for FRMEP centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.2% and operating margin at 22.6%.

Bear Case : BRK-A

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

Bear Case : FRMEP

The primary concerns for FRMEP are Return on Equity, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

FRMEP carries more volatility with a beta of 0.86 — expect wider price swings.

BRK-A is growing revenue faster at 4.4% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-A generates stronger free cash flow (5.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BRK-A scores higher overall (61/100 vs 39/100), backed by strong 19.3% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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First Merchants Corporation Depository Shares

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

First Merchants Corporation Depository Shares (FRMEP) embody a compelling investment opportunity within the Midwest's financial services sector, supported by a well-established banking institution. The company offers a comprehensive suite of financial solutions, including commercial banking, consumer lending, and wealth management, designed to address the distinct needs of its diverse client base. First Merchants prioritizes community engagement and sustainable growth, showcasing a strong commitment to enhancing shareholder value while maintaining resilience and financial stability amid varying market conditions. This strategic focus makes First Merchants an appealing choice for institutional investors seeking reliable returns in an evolving economic landscape.

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