WallStSmart

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI)vsHCA Holdings Inc (HCA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

HCA Holdings Inc generates 198% more annual revenue ($76.39B vs $25.61B). BTI leads profitability with a 30.3% profit margin vs 8.9%. HCA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.29. HCA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).

BTI

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 3.3Profit: 8.5Value: 6.7Quality: 5.0

HCA

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 6.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.71
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

BTIUndervalued (+23.4%)

Margin of Safety

+23.4%

Fair Value

$78.80

Current Price

$58.28

$20.52 discount

UndervaluedFair: $78.80Overvalued
HCAFair Value (-4.8%)

Margin of Safety

-4.8%

Fair Value

$506.98

Current Price

$435.19

$71.79 premium

UndervaluedFair: $506.98Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BTI5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
30.3%10/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
34.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.6%

Market CapQuality
$125.67B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
12.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.98B8/10

Generating 3.0B in free cash flow

HCA4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
136.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 136 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
-8.3310/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$95.17B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
14.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Areas to Watch

BTI4 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.524/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
10.1x4/10

Trading at 10.1x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.1%4/10

0.1% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
1.6%4/10

1.6% earnings growth

HCA2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.3%4/10

4.3% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.714/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BTI

The strongest argument for BTI centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.3% and operating margin at 34.6%.

Bull Case : HCA

The strongest argument for HCA centers on Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, Market Cap. PEG of 1.29 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : BTI

The primary concerns for BTI are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth.

Bear Case : HCA

The primary concerns for HCA are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HCA carries more volatility with a beta of 1.19 — expect wider price swings.

HCA is growing revenue faster at 4.3% — 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

HCA scores higher overall (63/100 vs 60/100). BTI offers better value entry with a 23.4% margin of safety. 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.

HCA Holdings Inc

HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES · USA

HCA Healthcare is an American for-profit operator of health care facilities that was founded in 1968. It is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and, as of May 2020, owns and operates 186 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics in 21 states and the United Kingdom.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?