WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-B)vsFirst Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 4007% more annual revenue ($375.39B vs $9.14B). FCNCA leads profitability with a 24.7% profit margin vs 19.3%. FCNCA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.30. FCNCA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

BRK-B

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.59

FCNCA

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.0Value: 6.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.32

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-B6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$1.02T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
0.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
119.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 119.6% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.209/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
14.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$5.45B8/10

Generating 5.5B in free cash flow

FCNCA5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
34.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.2%

Profit MarginProfitability
24.7%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.6% YoY

Areas to Watch

BRK-B3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.4%4/10

4.4% revenue growth

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
10.062/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

FCNCA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.9%4/10

4.9% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.543/10

Elevated debt levels

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-22.00M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.322/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-B

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

Bull Case : FCNCA

The strongest argument for FCNCA centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.7% and operating margin at 34.2%. PEG of 1.30 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : BRK-B

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

Bear Case : FCNCA

The primary concerns for FCNCA are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 1.54 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BRK-B carries more volatility with a beta of 0.62 — expect wider price swings.

FCNCA is growing revenue faster at 4.9% — sustainability is the question.

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

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

Bottom Line

FCNCA scores higher overall (75/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 24.7% 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%).

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First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. is the parent company of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company providing retail and business banking services to individuals, businesses and professionals. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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