WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsTurning Point Brands Inc (TPB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 60949% more annual revenue ($293.59B vs $480.90M). TPB leads profitability with a 11.5% profit margin vs 3.0%. TPB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.05. 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

TPB

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.0Value: 7.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.55

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$423.23B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
26.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 27 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

TPB3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.0510/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Return on EquityProfitability
22.5%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 23 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
16.8%8/10

16.8% revenue growth

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
4.632/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
48.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

TPB4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
29.0x4/10

Moderate valuation

Market CapQuality
$1.64B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

EPS GrowthGrowth
-24.1%2/10

Earnings declined 24.1%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-27.40M2/10

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 : TPB

The strongest argument for TPB centers on PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 16.8% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.05 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 48.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : TPB

The primary concerns for TPB are P/E Ratio, Market Cap, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

TPB carries more volatility with a beta of 0.93 — expect wider price swings.

COST is growing revenue faster at 21.5% — 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 59/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. 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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Turning Point Brands Inc

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA

Turning Point Brands, Inc. manufactures, markets and distributes branded consumer products. The company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

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