Barnes & Noble Education Inc (BNED)vsFive Below Inc (FIVE)
BNED
Barnes & Noble Education Inc
$11.23
+2.84%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $389.29M
FIVE
Five Below Inc
$244.60
+1.38%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $13.60B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Five Below Inc generates 209% more annual revenue ($5.31B vs $1.72B). FIVE leads profitability with a 11.7% profit margin vs 1.3%. FIVE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.98. FIVE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).
BNED
Hold49
out of 100
Grade: D+
FIVE
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for BNED.
Margin of Safety
+25.9%
Fair Value
$278.16
Current Price
$244.60
$33.56 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Earnings expanding 418.2% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 25 in profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Revenue surging 22.9% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
0.8% revenue growth
Grey zone — moderate risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 8.0% — below average capital efficiency
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BNED
The strongest argument for BNED centers on Price/Book, P/E Ratio. PEG of 1.10 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : FIVE
The strongest argument for FIVE centers on EPS Growth, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio. Revenue growth of 22.9% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.98 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : BNED
The primary concerns for BNED are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. Thin 1.3% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : FIVE
The primary concerns for FIVE are Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
BNED profiles as a value stock while FIVE is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
BNED carries more volatility with a beta of 1.30 — expect wider price swings.
FIVE is growing revenue faster at 22.9% — sustainability is the question.
FIVE generates stronger free cash flow (142M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
FIVE scores higher overall (70/100 vs 49/100) and 22.9% revenue growth. 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.
Barnes & Noble Education Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · SPECIALTY RETAIL · USA
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses and K-12 institutions in the United States. The company is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Five Below Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · SPECIALTY RETAIL · USA
Five Below, Inc. is a specialty value retailer in the United States. The company is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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