Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsMicron Technology Inc (MU)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
MU
Micron Technology Inc
$382.09
-3.40%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $446.05B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 393% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $58.12B). MU leads profitability with a 41.5% profit margin vs 3.0%. MU appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.23. MU earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 83/100 (A-).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
MU
Exceptional Buy83
out of 100
Grade: A-
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
+61.5%
Fair Value
$992.16
Current Price
$382.09
$610.07 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
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Growing faster than its price suggests
Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit
Keeps 42 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 67.6%
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Areas to Watch
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
2.0% revenue growth
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : MU
The strongest argument for MU centers on Market Cap, PEG Ratio, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 41.5% and operating margin at 67.6%. PEG of 0.23 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 : MU
The primary concerns for MU are Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
MU carries more volatility with a beta of 1.54 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.
MU generates stronger free cash flow (6.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
MU scores higher overall (83/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 41.5% margins. Both earn "Exceptional 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 →Micron Technology Inc
TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTORS · USA
Micron Technology, Inc. is an American producer of computer memory and computer data storage including dynamic random-access memory, flash memory, and USB flash drives. It is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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