British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)
BTI
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
$57.76
-0.28%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $125.28B
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 1018% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $25.61B). BTI leads profitability with a 30.3% profit margin vs 3.0%. BTI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.41. BTI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).
BTI
Buy64
out of 100
Grade: C+
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-39.2%
Fair Value
$43.34
Current Price
$57.76
$14.42 premium
Margin of Safety
-74.7%
Fair Value
$558.15
Current Price
$974.86
$416.71 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Growing faster than its price suggests
Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 34.6%
Large-cap with strong market position
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
0.1% revenue growth
1.6% earnings growth
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BTI
The strongest argument for BTI centers on PEG Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.3% and operating margin at 34.6%. PEG of 0.41 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : BTI
The primary concerns for BTI are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : COST
The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 50.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.
BTI generates stronger free cash flow (3.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor TOBACCO industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
BTI scores higher overall (64/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 30.3% margins. Both earn "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.
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA
British American Tobacco plc offers tobacco and nicotine products to consumers around the world. The company is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Costco Wholesale Corp
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA
Costco Wholesale Corporation (doing business as Costco Wholesale and also known simply as Costco) is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of membership-only (needing a membership to shop there) big-box retail stores. As of 2020, Costco was the fifth largest retailer in the world, and the world's largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine as of 2016.
Visit Website →Compare with Other TOBACCO Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?