WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsFirst Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

BRK-A leads profitability with a 18.0% profit margin vs 0.0%. FTHY trades at a lower P/E of 13.3x. BRK-A earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 51/100 (C-).

BRK-A

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

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

FTHY

Avoid

33

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 4.3Profit: 4.0Value: 6.0Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 2/9

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

FTHY1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
13.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

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%

FTHY4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$504.89M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

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 : FTHY

The strongest argument for FTHY centers on P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : BRK-A

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

Bear Case : FTHY

The primary concerns for FTHY are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Market Cap.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

FTHY is growing revenue faster at 0.0% — sustainability is the question.

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

Monitor INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

BRK-A scores higher overall (51/100 vs 33/100), backed by strong 18.0% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Avoid" 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 Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund

FINANCIAL SERVICES · ASSET MANAGEMENT · USA

The First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY) is a closed-end investment fund designed to deliver high-yield income through a diversified portfolio of below-investment-grade bonds. With a defined termination date in 2027, FTHY provides investors with an exit strategy and capitalizes on credit market opportunities while implementing stringent credit assessments and risk management practices. This strategic approach aims to navigate market fluctuations effectively, delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns and consistent income, making it an appealing choice for income-focused institutional investors seeking to enhance their portfolios.

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