Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsVisa Inc. Class A (V)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.11%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
V
Visa Inc. Class A
$304.91
+0.38%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $585.66B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 592% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $41.39B). V leads profitability with a 50.2% profit margin vs 3.0%. V appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.65. V earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
V
Strong Buy68
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
+17.4%
Fair Value
$369.26
Current Price
$304.91
$64.35 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 54 in profit
Keeps 50 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 68.3%
Generating 6.4B in free cash flow
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
Moderate valuation
Trading at 15.2x book value
Grey zone — moderate risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : V
The strongest argument for V centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 50.2% and operating margin at 68.3%. Revenue growth of 14.6% 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 : V
The primary concerns for V are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a value stock while V is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
V is growing revenue faster at 14.6% — sustainability is the question.
V generates stronger free cash flow (6.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
V scores higher overall (68/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 50.2% margins and 14.6% 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 →Visa Inc. Class A
FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA
Visa Inc. is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Foster City, California, United States. It facilitates electronic funds transfers throughout the world, most commonly through Visa-branded credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards. Visa is one of the world's most valuable companies.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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