WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsTCTM Kids IT Education Inc. (VSA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 43246% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $660.42M). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs -69.8%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 3.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

VSA

Hold

35

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 2.7Profit: 4.0Value: 5.0Quality: 5.0

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$450.10B10/10

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

VSA0 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
5.532/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

VSA4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$4.44M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-84.5%2/10

Revenue declined 84.5%

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 : VSA

VSA 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 : VSA

The primary concerns for VSA are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

COST profiles as a growth stock while VSA is a turnaround play — different risk/reward profiles.

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — 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 35/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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TCTM Kids IT Education Inc.

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA

TCTM Kids IT Education Inc., engages in the provision of IT-focused education services in Mainland China. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

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