WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsDDC Enterprise Limited (DDC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 98130% more annual revenue ($293.59B vs $298.88M). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs -212.7%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 3.7Quality: 6.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

DDC

Hold

39

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 6.7Profit: 2.0Value: 5.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -2.38

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$401.25B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
26.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.04B8/10

Generating 2.0B in free cash flow

DDC3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
0.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Debt/EquityHealth
0.179/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.2%8/10

Revenue surging 22.2% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

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
4.422/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
45.5x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

DDC4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$14.32M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
-58.2%2/10

ROE of -58.2% — below average capital efficiency

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-737.37M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : DDC

The strongest argument for DDC centers on Price/Book, Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 22.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 45.5x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : DDC

The primary concerns for DDC are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

DDC carries more volatility with a beta of 3.71 — expect wider price swings.

DDC is growing revenue faster at 22.2% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (2.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

COST scores higher overall (61/100 vs 39/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. Both earn "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.

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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DDC Enterprise Limited

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · PACKAGED FOODS · USA

Dominion Diamond Corporation is dedicated to the mining and trading of rough diamonds. The company is headquartered in Yellowknife, Canada.

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