Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsEdwards Lifesciences Corp (EW)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
EW
Edwards Lifesciences Corp
$82.67
+1.20%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $48.01B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 4618% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $6.07B). EW leads profitability with a 17.7% profit margin vs 3.0%. EW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.14. EW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
EW
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-74.7%
Fair Value
$558.15
Current Price
$974.86
$416.71 premium
Margin of Safety
-544.4%
Fair Value
$12.31
Current Price
$82.67
$70.36 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
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
Strong operational efficiency at 23.7%
Areas to Watch
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Expensive relative to growth rate
Weak financial health signals
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Earnings declined 76.6%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : EW
The strongest argument for EW centers on Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 17.7% and operating margin at 23.7%. Revenue growth of 13.3% demonstrates continued momentum.
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.
Bear Case : EW
The primary concerns for EW are PEG Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 45.7x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a value stock while EW is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
EW is growing revenue faster at 13.3% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
EW scores higher overall (55/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 17.7% margins and 13.3% 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.
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 →Edwards Lifesciences Corp
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL DEVICES · USA
Edwards Lifesciences is an American medical technology company headquartered in Irvine, California, specializing in artificial heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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