Grand Canyon Education Inc (LOPE)vsTarget Corporation (TGT)
LOPE
Grand Canyon Education Inc
$151.20
-0.01%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $3.98B
TGT
Target Corporation
$155.83
+0.06%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $70.79B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Target Corporation generates 9331% more annual revenue ($107.70B vs $1.14B). LOPE leads profitability with a 19.6% profit margin vs 4.1%. LOPE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.90. LOPE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).
LOPE
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
TGT
Strong Buy66
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-49.6%
Fair Value
$107.14
Current Price
$151.20
$44.06 premium
Margin of Safety
+5.3%
Fair Value
$120.98
Current Price
$155.83
$34.85 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Every $100 of equity generates 32 in profit
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Growing faster than its price suggests
Strong operational efficiency at 22.0%
Earnings expanding 100.5% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 25 in profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Generating 2.4B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
No major concerns identified
Expensive relative to growth rate
4.1% margin — thin
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : LOPE
The strongest argument for LOPE centers on Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.6% and operating margin at 22.0%. PEG of 0.90 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : TGT
The strongest argument for TGT centers on EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : LOPE
No major red flags identified for LOPE, but monitor valuation.
Bear Case : TGT
The primary concerns for TGT are PEG Ratio, Profit Margin, Debt/Equity. Thin 4.1% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
LOPE profiles as a mature stock while TGT is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
TGT carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
LOPE is growing revenue faster at 6.7% — sustainability is the question.
TGT generates stronger free cash flow (2.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
LOPE scores higher overall (69/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 19.6% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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.
Grand Canyon Education Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. provides educational services to colleges and universities in the United States. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
Target Corporation
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA
Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and small-format stores previously named CityTarget and TargetExpress before being consolidated under the Target branding.
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