WallStSmart

Altria Group (MO)vsTarget Corporation (TGT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Target Corporation generates 427% more annual revenue ($107.70B vs $20.44B). MO leads profitability with a 39.0% profit margin vs 4.1%. TGT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.94. TGT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

MO

Hold

47

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.7Profit: 8.5Value: 4.0Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.86

TGT

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.0Value: 6.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.47
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

MOSignificantly Overvalued (-49.8%)

Margin of Safety

-49.8%

Fair Value

$46.05

Current Price

$68.98

$22.93 premium

UndervaluedFair: $46.05Overvalued
TGTUndervalued (+5.3%)

Margin of Safety

+5.3%

Fair Value

$120.98

Current Price

$155.83

$34.85 discount

UndervaluedFair: $120.98Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

MO5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
Profit MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
76.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 76.1%

Debt/EquityHealth
-9.2110/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$115.18B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
14.5x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

TGT5 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
100.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 100.5% YoY

Market CapQuality
$70.79B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
24.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 25 in profit

P/E RatioValuation
16.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.43B8/10

Generating 2.4B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

MO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
1.2%4/10

1.2% revenue growth

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

PEG RatioValuation
2.602/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-2.7%2/10

Earnings declined 2.7%

TGT4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.944/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Profit MarginProfitability
4.1%3/10

4.1% margin — thin

Debt/EquityHealth
1.053/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : MO

The strongest argument for MO centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.0% and operating margin at 76.1%.

Bull Case : TGT

The strongest argument for TGT centers on EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : MO

The primary concerns for MO are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : TGT

The primary concerns for TGT are PEG Ratio, Profit Margin, Debt/Equity. Thin 4.1% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

TGT is growing revenue faster at 5.3% — sustainability is the question.

TGT generates stronger free cash flow (2.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor TOBACCO industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

TGT scores higher overall (66/100 vs 47/100). Both earn "Strong 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.

Altria Group

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA

Altria Group, Inc. (previously known as Philip Morris Companies, Inc.) is an American corporation and one of the world's largest producers and marketers of tobacco, cigarettes and related products. It operates worldwide and is headquartered in unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia, just outside the city of Richmond.

Visit Website →

Target Corporation

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA

Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and small-format stores previously named CityTarget and TargetExpress before being consolidated under the Target branding.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?