WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsFomento Economico Mexicano (FMX)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Fomento Economico Mexicano generates 194% more annual revenue ($840.95B vs $286.27B). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 2.3%. COST appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 5.41. FMX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

COST

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

FMX

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 8.0Profit: 5.5Value: 6.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 2.46
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-74.7%)

Margin of Safety

-74.7%

Fair Value

$558.15

Current Price

$974.86

$416.71 premium

UndervaluedFair: $558.15Overvalued
FMXUndervalued (+15.9%)

Margin of Safety

+15.9%

Fair Value

$134.78

Current Price

$108.51

$26.27 discount

UndervaluedFair: $134.78Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$432.25B10/10

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

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.71B8/10

Generating 1.7B in free cash flow

FMX2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
63.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 63.8% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$9.49B8/10

Generating 9.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

COST4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
13.5x4/10

Trading at 13.5x book value

Profit MarginProfitability
3.0%3/10

3.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

Operating margin of 3.7%

PEG RatioValuation
5.412/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

FMX4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
36.7x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Profit MarginProfitability
2.3%3/10

2.3% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
5.972/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : COST

The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.

Bull Case : FMX

The strongest argument for FMX centers on EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.

Bear Case : COST

The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 50.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : FMX

The primary concerns for FMX are P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Piotroski F-Score. Thin 2.3% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.

COST is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.

FMX generates stronger free cash flow (9.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

FMX scores higher overall (59/100 vs 53/100). Both earn "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.

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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Fomento Economico Mexicano

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · BEVERAGES - BREWERS · USA

Fomento Econmico Mexicano, SAB de CV, is a bottler of Coca-Cola brand beverages. The company is headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico.

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