WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsSLM Corp (SLM)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 25865% more annual revenue ($384.69B vs $1.48B). SLM leads profitability with a 38.3% profit margin vs 22.3%. SLM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.58. 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

SLM

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 3.3Profit: 6.5Value: 7.7Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -0.14

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$1.14T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

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

P/E RatioValuation
13.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

SLM5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
6.5x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
30.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 31 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
38.3%10/10

Keeps 38 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.588/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

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

Expensive relative to growth rate

SLM4 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
-55.8%2/10

Revenue declined 55.8%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-9.4%2/10

Earnings declined 9.4%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-106.38M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.142/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

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

Bull Case : SLM

The strongest argument for SLM centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 38.3% and operating margin at -36.4%. PEG of 0.58 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : BRK-A

The primary concerns for BRK-A are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : SLM

The primary concerns for SLM are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 2.85 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

SLM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.

BRK-A is growing revenue faster at 10.0% — 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 59/100), backed by strong 22.3% margins. 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%).

Visit Website →

SLM Corp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

SLM Corporation originates and provides private education loan services to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware.

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