Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsOccidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$1,008.79
-0.32%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $449.00B
OXY
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
$53.03
-1.69%
ENERGY · Cap: $53.65B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 1255% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $21.12B). OXY leads profitability with a 22.4% profit margin vs 3.0%. OXY appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.21. OXY earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (B-).
COST
Buy61
out of 100
Grade: C+
OXY
Strong Buy65
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-87.6%
Fair Value
$537.65
Current Price
$1008.79
$471.14 premium
Margin of Safety
+28.5%
Fair Value
$66.05
Current Price
$53.03
$13.02 discount
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
Earnings expanding 315.6% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
ROE of 4.0% — below average capital efficiency
Weak financial health signals
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Revenue declined 8.3%
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 : OXY
The strongest argument for OXY centers on EPS Growth, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.4% and operating margin at 17.7%. PEG of 1.21 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
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 : OXY
The primary concerns for OXY are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 72.9x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a growth stock while OXY is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 21.5% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
OXY scores higher overall (65/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 22.4% margins. 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 →Occidental Petroleum Corporation
ENERGY · OIL & GAS E&P · USA
Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an American company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration in the United States, the Middle East, and Colombia as well as petrochemical manufacturing in the United States, Canada, and Chile.
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