Citigroup Inc. (C)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)
C
Citigroup Inc.
$113.74
+1.88%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $191.59B
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 278% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $75.72B). C leads profitability with a 18.9% profit margin vs 3.0%. C appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.80. C earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (B-).
C
Strong Buy65
out of 100
Grade: B-
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-130.5%
Fair Value
$47.53
Current Price
$113.74
$66.21 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
Reasonable price relative to book value
Large-cap with strong market position
Growing faster than its price suggests
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Strong operational efficiency at 25.7%
Generating 2.0B in free cash flow
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
4.4% revenue growth
ROE of 6.8% — below average capital efficiency
Earnings declined 10.8%
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 : C
The strongest argument for C centers on Price/Book, Market Cap, PEG Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.9% and operating margin at 25.7%. PEG of 0.80 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 : C
The primary concerns for C are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, 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
C carries more volatility with a beta of 1.13 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.
C generates stronger free cash flow (2.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor BANKS - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
C scores higher overall (65/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 18.9% 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.
Citigroup Inc.
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Citigroup Inc. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation headquartered in New York City. The company was formed by the merger of banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate Travelers Group in 1998; Travelers was subsequently spun off from the company in 2002. Citigroup owns Citicorp, the holding company for Citibank, as well as several international subsidiaries. Citigroup is incorporated in Delaware.
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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