WallStSmart

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsWestrock Coffee Company (WEST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Costco Wholesale Corp generates 23977% more annual revenue ($286.27B vs $1.19B). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs -7.6%. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

COST

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 6.5Value: 3.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.84

WEST

Hold

35

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 7.3Profit: 2.0Value: 6.7Quality: 5.0
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for COST.

WESTUndervalued (+65.7%)

Margin of Safety

+65.7%

Fair Value

$14.99

Current Price

$5.89

$9.10 discount

UndervaluedFair: $14.99Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

COST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$450.10B10/10

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

WEST1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
48.3%10/10

Revenue surging 48.3% year-over-year

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
5.532/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
52.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

WEST4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$549.25M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
-28.1%2/10

ROE of -28.1% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
-7.6%1/10

Currently unprofitable

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 : WEST

The strongest argument for WEST centers on Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 48.3% 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 : WEST

The primary concerns for WEST are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

COST carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.

WEST is growing revenue faster at 48.3% — 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 35/100) and 21.5% revenue growth. WEST offers better value entry with a 65.7% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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Westrock Coffee Company

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · PACKAGED FOODS · USA

Andalay Solar, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets and sells solar energy systems and solar panels with integrated microinverters in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and South America. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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