Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsJPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$295.42
+1.03%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $796.76B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 70% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $168.24B). JPM leads profitability with a 33.9% profit margin vs 3.0%. JPM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.61. JPM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
JPM
Buy63
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
-116.9%
Fair Value
$136.20
Current Price
$295.42
$159.22 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
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 41.1%
Generating 368.4B in free cash flow
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
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
2.5% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Earnings declined 3.6%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : JPM
The strongest argument for JPM centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 33.9% and operating margin at 41.1%.
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 : JPM
The primary concerns for JPM are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
JPM carries more volatility with a beta of 1.06 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.
JPM generates stronger free cash flow (368.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
JPM scores higher overall (63/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 33.9% 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.
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 →JPMorgan Chase & Co
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is incorporated in Delaware. As a Bulge Bracket bank, it is a major provider of various investment banking and financial services. It is one of America's Big Four banks, along with Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. JPMorgan Chase is considered to be a universal bank and a custodian bank. The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking, asset management, private banking, private wealth management, and treasury services divisions.
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