Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsOracle Corporation (ORCL)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
ORCL
Oracle Corporation
$146.02
-0.73%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $423.04B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 347% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $64.08B). ORCL leads profitability with a 25.3% profit margin vs 3.0%. ORCL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.95. ORCL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
ORCL
Strong Buy76
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
+40.2%
Fair Value
$244.26
Current Price
$146.02
$98.24 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
Every $100 of equity generates 58 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 32.7%
Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Revenue surging 21.7% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Moderate valuation
Trading at 12.5x book value
Weak financial health signals
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : ORCL
The strongest argument for ORCL centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 25.3% and operating margin at 32.7%. Revenue growth of 21.7% 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 : ORCL
The primary concerns for ORCL are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score. Debt-to-equity of 4.15 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a value stock while ORCL is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
ORCL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.65 — expect wider price swings.
ORCL is growing revenue faster at 21.7% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ORCL scores higher overall (76/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 25.3% margins and 21.7% revenue growth. 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 →Oracle Corporation
TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA
Oracle is an American multinational computer technology corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company was formerly headquartered in Redwood Shores, California until December 2020 when it moved its headquarters to Texas. The company sells database software and technology, cloud engineered systems, and enterprise software products, particularly its own brands of database management systems.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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