WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsMerchants Bancorp (MBIN)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 64017% more annual revenue ($375.39B vs $585.48M). MBIN leads profitability with a 39.0% profit margin vs 19.3%. MBIN trades at a lower P/E of 12.2x. MBIN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).

BRK-A

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

MBIN

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 9.3Profit: 7.5Value: 6.0Quality: 2.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.80

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
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
119.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 119.6% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.189/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
14.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$5.45B8/10

Generating 5.5B in free cash flow

MBIN6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
58.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 58.0%

P/E RatioValuation
12.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.8%8/10

15.8% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
34.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 34.5% YoY

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

MBIN4 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-781.56M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.802/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.051/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

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

Bull Case : MBIN

The strongest argument for MBIN centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.0% and operating margin at 58.0%. Revenue growth of 15.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BRK-A

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

Bear Case : MBIN

The primary concerns for MBIN are Piotroski F-Score, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.05 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

MBIN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.16 — expect wider price swings.

MBIN is growing revenue faster at 15.8% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

MBIN scores higher overall (71/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 39.0% margins and 15.8% 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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Merchants Bancorp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Merchants Bancorp is the diversified bank holding company in the United States. The company is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.

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