Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsPalantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
PLTR
Palantir Technologies Inc.
$154.96
+0.12%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $370.18B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 6296% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $4.48B). PLTR leads profitability with a 36.3% profit margin vs 3.0%. PLTR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.98. PLTR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
PLTR
Strong Buy73
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
-337.0%
Fair Value
$29.48
Current Price
$154.96
$125.48 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 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 40.9%
Revenue surging 70.0% year-over-year
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
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
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 50.1x book value
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : PLTR
The strongest argument for PLTR centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 36.3% and operating margin at 40.9%. Revenue growth of 70.0% 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 : PLTR
The primary concerns for PLTR are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 245.7x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a value stock while PLTR is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
PLTR carries more volatility with a beta of 1.74 — expect wider price swings.
PLTR is growing revenue faster at 70.0% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
PLTR scores higher overall (73/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 36.3% margins and 70.0% 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 →Palantir Technologies Inc.
TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA
Palantir Technologies Inc. creates and implements software platforms for the intelligence community in the United States to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?