WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsNorthern Trust Corporation (NTRS)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 4022% more annual revenue ($384.69B vs $9.33B). NTRS leads profitability with a 26.0% profit margin vs 22.3%. NTRS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.94. NTRS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 82/100 (A-).

BRK-A

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.59

NTRS

Exceptional Buy

82

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 8.0Value: 7.0Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.32

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$1.14T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
32.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.6%

EPS GrowthGrowth
107.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 107.8% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
22.3%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.179/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
13.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

NTRS6 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
Operating MarginProfitability
34.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.8%

Profit MarginProfitability
26.0%9/10

Keeps 26 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.948/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
13.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
48.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 48.5% YoY

Areas to Watch

BRK-A1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
9.682/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

NTRS4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.193/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-284.40M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.322/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

The strongest argument for BRK-A centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.3% and operating margin at 32.6%.

Bull Case : NTRS

The strongest argument for NTRS centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin, PEG Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.0% and operating margin at 34.8%. Revenue growth of 12.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BRK-A

The primary concerns for BRK-A are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : NTRS

The primary concerns for NTRS are Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score, Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NTRS carries more volatility with a beta of 1.25 — expect wider price swings.

NTRS is growing revenue faster at 12.1% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-A generates stronger free cash flow (5.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

NTRS scores higher overall (82/100 vs 74/100), backed by strong 26.0% margins and 12.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong 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.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The company wholly owns GEICO, Duracell, Dairy Queen, BNSF, Lubrizol, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, Long & Foster, FlightSafety International, Pampered Chef, Forest River, and NetJets, and also owns 38.6% of Pilot Flying J; and significant minority holdings in public companies Kraft Heinz Company (26.7%), American Express (18.8%), The Coca-Cola Company (9.32%), Bank of America (11.9%), and Apple (6.3%).

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Northern Trust Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · ASSET MANAGEMENT · USA

Northern Trust Corporation is a financial services company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois that caters to corporations, institutional investors, and ultra high net worth individuals.

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