Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsICICI Bank Limited (IBN)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
IBN
ICICI Bank Limited
$26.31
+1.08%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $95.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
ICICI Bank Limited generates 572% more annual revenue ($1.92T vs $286.27B). IBN leads profitability with a 27.5% profit margin vs 3.0%. IBN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.53. IBN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
IBN
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
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
-191.4%
Fair Value
$10.68
Current Price
$26.31
$15.63 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 34.0%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Areas to Watch
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
3.0% revenue growth
Earnings declined 3.7%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : IBN
The strongest argument for IBN centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.5% and operating margin at 34.0%. PEG of 0.53 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its 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.
Bear Case : IBN
The primary concerns for IBN are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
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.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
IBN scores higher overall (69/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 27.5% 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.
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 →ICICI Bank Limited
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
ICICI Bank Limited offers various banking products and financial services in India and internationally. The company is headquartered in Mumbai, India.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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