WallStSmart

51Talk Online Education Group (COE)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 299337% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $95.60M). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs -17.6%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COE

Hold

43

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 10.0Profit: 2.0Value: 6.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 2/9

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 3.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COEUndervalued (+32.6%)

Margin of Safety

+32.6%

Fair Value

$40.95

Current Price

$28.31

$12.64 discount

UndervaluedFair: $40.95Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for COST.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COE3 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
88.6%10/10

Revenue surging 88.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
116.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 116.0% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
-0.1410/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$450.10B10/10

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

COE4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Market CapQuality
$154.63M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Return on EquityProfitability
-162.9%2/10

ROE of -162.9% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
-17.6%1/10

Currently unprofitable

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
5.532/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : COE

The strongest argument for COE centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Revenue growth of 88.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : COE

The primary concerns for COE are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.

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

COE profiles as a hypergrowth stock while COST is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.

COE is growing revenue faster at 88.6% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

COST scores higher overall (61/100 vs 43/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. COE offers better value entry with a 32.6% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

51Talk Online Education Group

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · China

China Online Education Group, offers online English education services to students in the People's Republic of China and the Philippines. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

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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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