CME Group Inc (CME)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)
CME
CME Group Inc
$293.93
-2.89%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $105.67B
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 4299% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 3.0%. COST appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 5.41. CME earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).
CME
Buy63
out of 100
Grade: C+
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+43.8%
Fair Value
$522.76
Current Price
$293.93
$228.83 discount
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
Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 63.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Earnings expanding 35.0% YoY
Generating 1.1B 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
Moderate valuation
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
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 : CME
The strongest argument for CME centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 62.6% and operating margin at 63.8%.
Bull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : CME
The primary concerns for CME are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.
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
CME profiles as a mature stock while COST is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
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.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CME scores higher overall (63/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 62.6% 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.
CME Group Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA
CME Group Inc. (Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange, The Commodity Exchange) is an American global markets company. It is the world's largest financial derivatives exchange, and trades in asset classes that include agricultural products, currencies, energy, interest rates, metals, stock indexes and cryptocurrencies futures.
Visit Website →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 FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES Stocks
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