Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsThe Travelers Companies Inc (TRV)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$974.86
+0.49%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $432.25B
TRV
The Travelers Companies Inc
$290.59
-0.83%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $65.36B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 486% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $48.83B). TRV leads profitability with a 12.9% profit margin vs 3.0%. TRV appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.36. TRV earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).
COST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
TRV
Strong Buy71
out of 100
Grade: B
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-74.7%
Fair Value
$558.15
Current Price
$974.86
$416.71 premium
Margin of Safety
+75.4%
Fair Value
$1213.50
Current Price
$290.59
$922.91 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
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.9%
Areas to Watch
Trading at 13.5x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Expensive relative to growth rate
3.5% revenue growth
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COST
The strongest argument for COST centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : TRV
The strongest argument for TRV centers on P/E Ratio, Market Cap, Return on Equity.
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 : TRV
The primary concerns for TRV are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Free Cash Flow.
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.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
TRV scores higher overall (71/100 vs 53/100). 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 →The Travelers Companies Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - PROPERTY & CASUALTY · USA
The Travelers Companies, Inc., commonly known as Travelers, is an American insurance company.
Visit Website →Compare with Other DISCOUNT STORES Stocks
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