Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsStride Inc (LRN)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$1,011.70
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $448.84B
LRN
Stride Inc
$93.08
-4.20%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $3.96B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 11190% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $2.54B). LRN leads profitability with a 12.1% profit margin vs 3.0%. LRN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.52. LRN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (B-).
COST
Buy61
out of 100
Grade: C+
LRN
Strong Buy65
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for COST.
Margin of Safety
+15.1%
Fair Value
$101.13
Current Price
$93.08
$8.05 discount
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
Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 20 in profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 20.8%
Areas to Watch
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
2.7% revenue growth
Earnings declined 4.5%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull 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.
Bull Case : LRN
The strongest argument for LRN centers on Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.52 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its 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.
Bear Case : LRN
The primary concerns for LRN are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a growth stock while LRN is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — 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
LRN scores higher overall (65/100 vs 61/100). 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 →Stride Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
Stride, Inc., a technology-based education company, provides its own and third-party online educational services, software systems and curricula to facilitate individualized learning for students primarily in kindergarten through grade 12 (K -12) in the United States and internationally. .
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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