WallStSmart

Blackstone Group Inc (BX)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 1888% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $14.40B). BX leads profitability with a 21.2% profit margin vs 3.0%. BX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.82. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

BX

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 9.0Value: 4.3Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 2/9

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for BX.

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BX4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
38.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 38.0%

Market CapQuality
$149.52B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
29.5%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
21.2%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$449.00B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
29.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

Areas to Watch

BX4 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.824/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
31.4x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
11.6x4/10

Trading at 11.6x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
3.9%4/10

3.9% earnings growth

COST4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.142/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BX

The strongest argument for BX centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.2% and operating margin at 38.0%.

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 21.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BX

The primary concerns for BX are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 1.63 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 52.6x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BX profiles as a mature stock while COST is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

BX carries more volatility with a beta of 1.63 — expect wider price swings.

COST is growing revenue faster at 21.5% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BX scores higher overall (61/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 21.2% 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.

Blackstone Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · ASSET MANAGEMENT · USA

Blackstone Group Inc. is an alternative asset management company specializing in real estate, private equity, hedge fund solutions, credit, secondary funds of funds, public debt and equity strategies and multiple asset classes. The company is headquartered in New York, New York with additional offices across Asia, Europe and North America.

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.

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