WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-B)vsNorthern Trust Corporation (NTRS)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 4134% more annual revenue ($384.69B vs $9.09B). NTRS leads profitability with a 24.7% profit margin vs 22.3%. NTRS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.06. NTRS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 84/100 (A-).

BRK-B

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.59

NTRS

Exceptional Buy

84

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 10.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.32

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-B6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$1.09T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
0.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

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

NTRS6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Operating MarginProfitability
42.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 42.5%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
36.4%10/10

Revenue surging 36.4% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
98.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 98.6% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
24.7%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
16.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

BRK-B2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
10.062/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

NTRS4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.183/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-284.40M2/10

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, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.3% and operating margin at 32.6%.

Bull Case : NTRS

The strongest argument for NTRS centers on Operating Margin, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.7% and operating margin at 42.5%. Revenue growth of 36.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BRK-B

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

Bear Case : NTRS

The primary concerns for NTRS are Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score, Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

NTRS carries more volatility with a beta of 1.26 — expect wider price swings.

NTRS is growing revenue faster at 36.4% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-B generates stronger free cash flow (5.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

NTRS scores higher overall (84/100 vs 74/100), backed by strong 24.7% margins and 36.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong 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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Northern Trust Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · ASSET MANAGEMENT · USA

Northern Trust Corporation is a financial services company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois that caters to corporations, institutional investors, and ultra high net worth individuals.

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