WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-B)vsIndependent Bank Corporation (IBCP)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 165224% more annual revenue ($371.44B vs $224.68M). IBCP leads profitability with a 31.1% profit margin vs 18.0%. IBCP appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.40. IBCP earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).

BRK-B

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 3.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.60

IBCP

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 5.8
Piotroski: 4/9

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-B6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$1.03T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
0.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
33.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.0%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.199/10

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

IBCP5 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
10.0x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.1%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.0%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.239/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

BRK-B4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
10.062/10

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%

IBCP1 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Market CapQuality
$689.83M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-B

The strongest argument for BRK-B centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.0% and operating margin at 33.0%.

Bull Case : IBCP

The strongest argument for IBCP centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.1% and operating margin at 39.0%. PEG of 1.40 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : BRK-B

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

Bear Case : IBCP

The primary concerns for IBCP are Market Cap.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

IBCP carries more volatility with a beta of 0.75 — expect wider price swings.

IBCP is growing revenue faster at 9.7% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

IBCP scores higher overall (70/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 31.1% 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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Independent Bank Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Independent Bank Corporation is the bank holding company of Independent Bank providing various banking services to individuals and businesses. The company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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