Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsPerdoceo Education Corp (PRDO)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$922.77
+2.93%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $401.22B
PRDO
Perdoceo Education Corp
$30.49
-3.76%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $1.95B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 34093% more annual revenue ($293.59B vs $858.61M). PRDO leads profitability with a 20.6% profit margin vs 3.0%. PRDO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.65. PRDO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).
COST
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C-
PRDO
Strong Buy74
out of 100
Grade: B
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 26 in profit
Generating 2.0B in free cash flow
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Trading at 12.2x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 4.0%
Expensive relative to growth rate
1.8% revenue growth
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
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 11.6% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : PRDO
The strongest argument for PRDO centers on P/E Ratio, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.6% and operating margin at 25.7%. PEG of 0.65 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : COST
The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 45.3x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : PRDO
The primary concerns for PRDO are Revenue Growth, Market Cap.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.85 — expect wider price swings.
COST is growing revenue faster at 11.6% — 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
PRDO scores higher overall (74/100 vs 55/100), backed by strong 20.6% 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 →Perdoceo Education Corp
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
Perdoceo Education Corporation provides postsecondary education to students through online, campus-based, and blended learning programs in the United States. The company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?