Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)vsYesway, Inc. Class A Common Stock (YSWY)
COST
Costco Wholesale Corp
$996.08
+1.36%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $438.30B
YSWY
Yesway, Inc. Class A Common Stock
$24.36
+0.79%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $721.95M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Costco Wholesale Corp generates 10043% more annual revenue ($303.15B vs $2.99B). COST leads profitability with a 3.0% profit margin vs 2.7%. YSWY trades at a lower P/E of 17.1x. COST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C-).
COST
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C-
YSWY
Hold45
out of 100
Grade: D+
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 26 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Generating 2.5B in free cash flow
Revenue surging 38.5% year-over-year
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Trading at 12.3x book value
3.0% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.8%
Expensive relative to growth rate
0.0% earnings growth
Grey zone — moderate risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
2.7% 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 11.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : YSWY
The strongest argument for YSWY centers on Revenue Growth, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 38.5% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : COST
The primary concerns for COST are Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 47.6x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : YSWY
The primary concerns for YSWY are EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. Debt-to-equity of 2.42 is elevated, increasing financial risk. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COST profiles as a value stock while YSWY is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.
YSWY is growing revenue faster at 38.5% — sustainability is the question.
COST generates stronger free cash flow (2.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor DISCOUNT STORES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
COST scores higher overall (55/100 vs 45/100) and 11.1% revenue growth. 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.
Visit Website →Yesway, Inc. Class A Common Stock
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · GROCERY STORES · USA
Yesway, Inc. (Ticker: YSWY) is a prominent convenience store operator focused on delivering value-oriented products and services across its robust network, primarily in the central United States. The company is committed to enhancing the customer experience with a diverse range of offerings, including grocery items, prepared foods, and fuel, positioning it for significant growth within the expanding convenience store sector. With a focus on operational efficiency, community engagement, and innovative marketing strategies, Yesway is well-equipped to navigate the dynamic retail landscape. Its strategic acquisition and expansion initiatives further bolster its competitive advantage, aiming to capture an increasing share of the market while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
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