Wal-Mart or Target? That is the question. The fact is that Wal-Mart is much bigger. But Target is closer to my house. Consequently Target ends up getting more of my business. But what about when it comes to money? Which is the better investment? Are you better off shelling out your hard-earned cash on a few shares of Wal-Mart
Return on equity
Warren Buffett likes looking at a company's return on equity because it is a key indicator of how profitable the business is as well as how well the company's assets and leverage are being managed. Think about it this way: A company earning $1 million in a given year on $5 million in shareholder's equity is doing a better job than another company earning $1 million on $20 million in shareholder's equity. This is what return on equity tells us. So how do Wal-Mart and Target measure up here? Let's take a look:
|
|
TTM |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
5-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wal-Mart |
22.5% |
21.2% |
20.4% |
20.4% |
21.2% |
21.1% |
|
Target |
18.2% |
17.1% |
15.3% |
18.4% |
18.7% |
17.5% |
Source: Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's.
Based on the five-year averages here, Wal-Mart has the edge. Though both companies are smoking Costco's
Operating margin
When we talk about margins, a good one to focus on is the operating margin, also known as the EBIT margin (earnings before interest and taxes). These are the earnings that take into account the company's operating expenses, and this can tell us how much the company is spending to operate the business. I mean let's face it, earning $1 million isn't going to mean much if it costs you $950,000 to do it. So how do these two compare? Here are the figures:
|
|
TTM |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
5-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wal-Mart |
6.1% |
6% |
5.7% |
5.9% |
5.9% |
5.9% |
|
Target |
7.5% |
7.1% |
6.8% |
8.3% |
8.5% |
7.6% |
Source: Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's.
Target is making up ground in the overall standings when it comes to EBIT margins.
Free cash flow margin
Finally, I like to take a look at the free cash flow margin. While slightly more involved, it can really shed light on what the company is actually making once it is all said and done. Free cash flow is one of our favorite numbers to look at. Simply defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, free cash flow is that money that is left after all of the bills have been paid. It is the money that the company can return to shareholders in one fashion or another. Be it in the form of dividends, share buybacks or even reinvesting in the business. The free cash flow margin is a comparison of the free cash flow the company is generating to its revenues. Let's see how the two match up:
|
|
TTM |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
5-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wal-Mart |
3.5% |
3.5% |
2.9% |
1.5% |
1.3% |
2.5% |
|
Target |
6.1% |
6.6% |
1.4% |
-0.4% |
1.6% |
3.1% |
Source: Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's.
Target squeaks one out over Wal-Mart, but it's a close one!
And the winner is ...
All things being equal, when we consider these three metrics in assessing both businesses, I give Target the edge here. Granted, the company doesn't match Wal-Mart's returns on equity. But Target sure makes up for it with better operating and free cash flow margins. While these aren't the only metrics to consider when assessing a business, they can provide a good starting point for further research. To be sure, both are quality businesses and worthy of consideration. But on this day, Target is the Foolish winner.
