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ABT vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at ABT and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolABTCOST
Company NameAbbott LaboratoriesCostco Wholesale Corporation
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryHealth Care Equipment & SuppliesConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Market Capitalization233.69 billion USD405.42 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENasdaqGS
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980July 9, 1986
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ABT 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.

ABT vs. COST: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolABTCOST
5-Day Price Return0.96%-0.21%
13-Week Price Return0.79%-6.85%
26-Week Price Return2.01%-5.41%
52-Week Price Return18.45%4.72%
Month-to-Date Return0.25%-1.17%
Year-to-Date Return18.71%-0.16%
10-Day Avg. Volume6.11M2.95M
3-Month Avg. Volume6.14M2.23M
3-Month Volatility23.30%15.89%
Beta0.731.00

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ABT

29.93%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
29.93%
Q3
16.99%
Median
9.28%
Q1
5.10%
Min
-12.52%

In the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s Return on Equity of 29.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ABT

32.43%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
24.41%
Q3
13.71%
Median
10.08%
Q1
5.96%
Min
-5.58%

ABT’s Net Profit Margin of 32.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ABT

17.34%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
31.09%
Q3
18.11%
Median
15.07%
Q1
8.48%
Min
-0.28%

ABT’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.34% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolABTCOST
Return on Equity (TTM)29.93%30.47%
Return on Assets (TTM)17.41%10.83%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)32.43%2.94%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)17.34%3.77%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)56.20%12.84%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

1.82

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
5.19
Q3
3.00
Median
2.13
Q1
1.44
Min
0.86

ABT’s Current Ratio of 1.82 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

0.27

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
1.61
Q3
0.76
Median
0.45
Q1
0.14
Min
0.00

ABT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 is typical for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ABT

38.30

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
56.35
Q3
25.56
Median
9.60
Q1
3.78
Min
-26.49

ABT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.30 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolABTCOST
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.821.03
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.140.55
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.270.20
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)38.3091.27

Growth

Revenue Growth

ABT vs. COST: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ABT vs. COST: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ABT

1.71%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
4.15%
Q3
1.76%
Median
0.79%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ABT’s Dividend Yield of 1.71% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ABT

28.42%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
160.00%
Q3
66.60%
Median
27.49%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ABT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolABTCOST
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.71%0.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)28.42%34.59%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ABT

16.60

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
67.29
Q3
47.01
Median
30.94
Q1
23.91
Min
10.79

In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s P/E Ratio of 16.60 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ABT

5.38

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
9.49
Q3
5.41
Median
2.86
Q1
2.07
Min
0.74

ABT’s P/S Ratio of 5.38 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

4.68

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max
10.85
Q3
6.56
Median
3.53
Q1
2.36
Min
0.71

ABT’s P/B Ratio of 4.68 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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.

ABT vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolABTCOST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)16.6049.90
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.381.47
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)4.6814.34
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)34.2651.57