WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsTurning Point Brands Inc (TPB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 61720% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $463.06M). TPB leads profitability with a 12.6% profit margin vs 3.0%. TPB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.05. TPB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

COST

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

TPB

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 7.5Value: 8.7Quality: 5.0
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-74.7%)

Margin of Safety

-74.7%

Fair Value

$558.15

Current Price

$974.86

$416.71 premium

UndervaluedFair: $558.15Overvalued
TPBUndervalued (+12.1%)

Margin of Safety

+12.1%

Fair Value

$145.55

Current Price

$88.39

$57.16 discount

UndervaluedFair: $145.55Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$432.25B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
29.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.71B8/10

Generating 1.7B in free cash flow

TPB4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.0510/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

EPS GrowthGrowth
194.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 194.5% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
24.2%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
29.2%8/10

Revenue surging 29.2% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

COST4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
13.5x4/10

Trading at 13.5x book value

Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.412/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

TPB2 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
28.4x4/10

Moderate valuation

Market CapQuality
$1.69B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.

Bull Case : TPB

The strongest argument for TPB centers on PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 29.2% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.05 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 : TPB

The primary concerns for TPB are P/E Ratio, Market Cap.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

COST profiles as a value stock while TPB is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.

TPB is growing revenue faster at 29.2% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

TPB scores higher overall (73/100 vs 53/100) and 29.2% 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.

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Turning Point Brands Inc

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA

Turning Point Brands, Inc. manufactures, markets and distributes branded consumer products. The company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

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