WallStSmart

American International Group Inc (AIG)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 972% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $26.70B). AIG leads profitability with a 11.8% profit margin vs 3.0%. AIG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.64. AIG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

AIG

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 4.7Profit: 5.5Value: 7.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.88

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for AIG.

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-87.6%)

Margin of Safety

-87.6%

Fair Value

$537.65

Current Price

$1008.79

$471.14 premium

UndervaluedFair: $537.65Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AIG5 strengths · Avg: 8.6/10
Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Debt/EquityHealth
0.229/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

PEG RatioValuation
0.648/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
13.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
21.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 21.6% YoY

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

Areas to Watch

AIG3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
1.4%4/10

1.4% revenue growth

Return on EquityProfitability
7.7%3/10

ROE of 7.7% — below average capital efficiency

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.882/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AIG

The strongest argument for AIG centers on Price/Book, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.64 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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.

Bear Case : AIG

The primary concerns for AIG are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score.

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.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — 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

AIG scores higher overall (69/100 vs 61/100). 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.

American International Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

American International Group, Inc., also known as AIG, is an American multinational finance and insurance corporation with operations in more than 80 countries and jurisdictions. The company operates through three core businesses: General Insurance, Life & Retirement, and a standalone technology-enabled subsidiary.

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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