WallStSmart

Bank of Montreal (BMO)vsCostco Wholesale Corp (COST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 755% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $33.48B). BMO leads profitability with a 27.1% profit margin vs 3.0%. BMO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.56. BMO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

BMO

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 5.0

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 BMO.

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BMO6 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Operating MarginProfitability
39.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.9%

Market CapQuality
$109.28B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
27.1%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
17.6x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$6.95B8/10

Generating 7.0B in free cash flow

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

BMO1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.564/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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 : BMO

The strongest argument for BMO centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.1% and operating margin at 39.9%.

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 : BMO

The primary concerns for BMO are PEG Ratio.

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

BMO profiles as a mature stock while COST is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

BMO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.17 — expect wider price swings.

COST is growing revenue faster at 21.5% — sustainability is the question.

BMO generates stronger free cash flow (7.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BMO scores higher overall (73/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 27.1% margins. 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.

Bank of Montreal

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Bank of Montreal offers diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

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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