AAPL vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAPL and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apple Inc. | Costco Wholesale Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 3,829.71 billion USD | 405.42 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 12, 1980 | July 9, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAPL and COST by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.36% | -0.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.22% | -6.85% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.00% | -5.41% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 16.41% | 4.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.35% | -1.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 3.05% | -0.16% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 43.27M | 2.95M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 54.64M | 2.23M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.91% | 15.89% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.00 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AAPL
154.92%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 27.52%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -1.04%
AAPL’s Return on Equity of 154.92% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
COST
30.47%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 36.53%
- Q3
- 21.48%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Return on Equity of 30.47% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
24.30%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 16.15%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 4.80%
- Q1
- 2.20%
- Min
- -0.29%
AAPL’s Net Profit Margin of 24.30% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
COST
2.94%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.25%
- Q3
- 3.98%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- -0.70%
COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.94% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AAPL
31.87%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.74%
- Median
- 6.27%
- Q1
- 4.07%
- Min
- 1.97%
AAPL’s Operating Profit Margin of 31.87% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
COST
3.77%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.61%
- Median
- 4.18%
- Q1
- 2.72%
- Min
- 0.23%
COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.77% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 154.92% | 30.47% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 28.95% | 10.83% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.30% | 2.94% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.87% | 3.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.68% | 12.84% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
0.87
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.04
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.11
AAPL’s Current Ratio of 0.87 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
COST
1.03
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.28
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.49
COST’s Current Ratio of 1.03 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
1.54
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.54
- Q3
- 0.85
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
AAPL’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.54. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
COST
0.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.61
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.20 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
622.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 76.01
- Median
- 19.47
- Q1
- 5.91
- Min
- -23.93
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 622.51, AAPL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
COST
91.27
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.79
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -5.51
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 91.27, COST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 0.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 622.51 | 91.27 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAPL
0.40%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.33%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Yield of 0.40% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
COST
0.54%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.08%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 1.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.54% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
15.47%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 77.17%
- Median
- 40.90%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAPL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.47% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
COST
34.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 172.48%
- Q3
- 103.93%
- Median
- 54.70%
- Q1
- 24.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.59% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.40% | 0.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 15.47% | 34.59% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
38.53
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.10
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 19.23
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 9.46
A P/E Ratio of 38.53 places AAPL in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
COST
49.90
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
At 49.90, COST’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AAPL
9.36
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 9.36, AAPL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
COST
1.47
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.47 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AAPL
46.55
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 6.87
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
At 46.55, AAPL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
COST
14.34
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.97
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.46
At 14.34, COST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.53 | 49.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.36 | 1.47 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 46.55 | 14.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 39.77 | 51.57 |