WallStSmart

ConocoPhillips (COP)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 382% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $59.38B). COP leads profitability with a 12.3% profit margin vs 3.0%. COP appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.14. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COP

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 2.0Profit: 6.5Value: 4.7Quality: 5.0

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

COPSignificantly Overvalued (-50.4%)

Margin of Safety

-50.4%

Fair Value

$73.94

Current Price

$113.87

$39.93 premium

UndervaluedFair: $73.94Overvalued
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

COP4 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$139.96B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.1x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
22.1%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 22.1%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.35B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

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

COP2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
-5.3%2/10

Revenue declined 5.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-20.2%2/10

Earnings declined 20.2%

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 : COP

The strongest argument for COP centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. PEG of 1.14 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. Revenue growth of 21.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : COP

The primary concerns for COP are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

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

COP profiles as a declining stock while COST is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — 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

COST scores higher overall (61/100 vs 56/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. 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.

ConocoPhillips

ENERGY · OIL & GAS E&P · USA

ConocoPhillips is an American multinational corporation engaged in hydrocarbon exploration. It is based in the Energy Corridor district of Houston, Texas.

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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