WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsVuzix Corp Cmn Stk (VUZI)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 4557825% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $6.28M). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 0.0%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

VUZI

Avoid

26

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 5.3Profit: 2.5Value: 6.7Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -4.27
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

COSTSignificantly Overvalued (-89.1%)

Margin of Safety

-89.1%

Fair Value

$535.26

Current Price

$1008.79

$473.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $535.26Overvalued
VUZIUndervalued (+43.1%)

Margin of Safety

+43.1%

Fair Value

$4.34

Current Price

$3.11

$1.23 discount

UndervaluedFair: $4.34Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$449.00B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.8410/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
29.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
21.5%8/10

Revenue surging 21.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
45.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 45.5% YoY

VUZI2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
76.3%10/10

Revenue surging 76.3% year-over-year

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0310/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

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
5.142/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

VUZI4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
Price/BookValuation
10.4x4/10

Trading at 10.4x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$239.50M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Profit MarginProfitability
0.0%3/10

0.0% margin — thin

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 : VUZI

The strongest argument for VUZI centers on Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity. Revenue growth of 76.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : VUZI

The primary concerns for VUZI are Price/Book, EPS Growth, Market Cap.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

COST profiles as a growth stock while VUZI is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

VUZI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.52 — expect wider price swings.

VUZI is growing revenue faster at 76.3% — sustainability is the question.

COST generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

COST scores higher overall (61/100 vs 26/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. VUZI offers better value entry with a 43.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Avoid" 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 →

Vuzix Corp Cmn Stk

TECHNOLOGY · CONSUMER ELECTRONICS · USA

Vuzix Corporation designs, manufactures, markets and sells augmented reality (AR) computing and display devices for consumer and business markets in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The company is headquartered in West Henrietta, New York.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?