WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsUSA Rare Earth, Inc. (USAR)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 17423212% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $1.64M). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 0.0%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

USAR

Avoid

21

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 4.3Profit: 2.5Value: 5.0Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: -41.68
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for USAR.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$449.00B10/10

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

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

USAR0 strengths · Avg: 0/10

No standout strengths identified

Areas to Watch

COST4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.142/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

USAR4 concerns · Avg: 3.8/10
Price/BookValuation
8.1x4/10

Trading at 8.1x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Profit MarginProfitability
0.0%3/10

0.0% margin — thin

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull 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 : USAR

USAR has a balanced fundamental profile.

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 : USAR

The primary concerns for USAR are Price/Book, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

USAR carries more volatility with a beta of 2.42 — 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

COST scores higher overall (61/100 vs 21/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Avoid" 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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USA Rare Earth, Inc.

BASIC MATERIALS · OTHER INDUSTRIAL METALS & MINING · USA

USA Rare Earth, Inc. engages in mining, processing, and supplying rare earths and other critical minerals. The company is headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

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