Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsVale SA ADR (VALE)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$1,008.79
-0.32%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $449.00B
VALE
Vale SA ADR
$16.63
+2.72%
BASIC MATERIALS · Cap: $69.04B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 33% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $214.86B). VALE leads profitability with a 7.3% profit margin vs 3.0%. VALE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.33. VALE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).
COST
Buy61
out of 100
Grade: C+
VALE
Strong Buy67
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-89.1%
Fair Value
$535.26
Current Price
$1008.79
$473.53 premium
Margin of Safety
+81.8%
Fair Value
$95.70
Current Price
$16.63
$79.07 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
Growing faster than its price suggests
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 28.1%
Earnings expanding 22.0% YoY
Areas to Watch
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.7%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
2.7% revenue growth
ROE of 6.8% — below average capital efficiency
7.3% margin — thin
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 : VALE
The strongest argument for VALE centers on PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Price/Book. PEG of 0.33 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 : VALE
The primary concerns for VALE are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a growth stock while VALE is a value 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
VALE scores higher overall (67/100 vs 61/100). 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 →Vale SA ADR
BASIC MATERIALS · OTHER INDUSTRIAL METALS & MINING · USA
Vale SA produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw material in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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