Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsLaureate Education Inc (LAUR)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$1,014.53
+1.59%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $450.10B
LAUR
Laureate Education Inc
$31.59
+0.67%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $4.51B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 16720% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $1.70B). LAUR leads profitability with a 16.6% profit margin vs 3.0%. LAUR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.15. LAUR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 79/100 (B+).
COST
Buy61
out of 100
Grade: C+
LAUR
Strong Buy79
out of 100
Grade: B+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for COST.
Margin of Safety
-82.6%
Fair Value
$18.83
Current Price
$31.59
$12.76 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY
Strong operational efficiency at 33.2%
Earnings expanding 88.4% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Revenue surging 27.9% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
No major concerns identified
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull 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 : LAUR
The strongest argument for LAUR centers on Operating Margin, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 16.6% and operating margin at 33.2%. Revenue growth of 27.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
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.
Bear Case : LAUR
No major red flags identified for LAUR, but monitor valuation.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.
LAUR is growing revenue faster at 27.9% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
LAUR scores higher overall (79/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 16.6% margins and 27.9% revenue growth. 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.
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.
Visit Website →Laureate Education Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
Laureate Education, Inc. offers higher education programs and services to students through a network of universities and institutions of higher education. The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
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