ASML vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASML and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASML’s market capitalization stands at 312.40 billion USD, while COST’s is 437.72 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 1.22 for ASML and 0.99 for COST, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
ASML trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, COST is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ASML | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASML Holding N.V. | Costco Wholesale Corporation |
| Country | NL | US |
| Sector | Technology | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Discount Stores |
| CEO | Christophe D. Fouquet | Ron M. Vachris |
| Price | 794.5 USD | 987.02 USD |
| Market Cap | 312.40 billion USD | 437.72 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.99 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | March 15, 1995 | July 9, 1986 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASML 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASML
52.08%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ASML’s Return on Equity of 52.08% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Semiconductors industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
COST
31.13%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 31.68%
- Q3
- 28.60%
- Median
- 15.53%
- Q1
- 12.21%
- Min
- 12.12%
In the upper quartile for the Discount Stores industry, COST’s Return on Equity of 31.13% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ASML
30.91%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASML’s Return on Invested Capital of 30.91% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
COST
20.02%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 20.02%
- Q3
- 12.27%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 6.51%
- Min
- 5.03%
In the upper quartile for the Discount Stores industry, COST’s Return on Invested Capital of 20.02% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ASML
28.33%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.33% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
COST
2.92%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 2.92%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- 2.81%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- 2.75%
COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Discount Stores industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ASML
33.76%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.76% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
COST
3.75%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.42%
- Q3
- 5.42%
- Median
- 4.33%
- Q1
- 3.93%
- Min
- 2.10%
COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.75% is in the lower quartile for the Discount Stores industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 52.08% | 31.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.14% | 10.39% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 30.91% | 20.02% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.33% | 2.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.76% | 3.75% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.01% | 13.38% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASML
1.52
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ASML’s Current Ratio of 1.52 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
COST
1.02
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 1.25
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.74
COST’s Current Ratio of 1.02 aligns with the median group of the Discount Stores industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASML
0.21
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ASML’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 is typical for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
COST
0.30
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 2.34
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 0.80
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.20
Falling into the lower quartile for the Discount Stores industry, COST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.30 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
ASML
--
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ASML is currently unavailable.
COST
916.73
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 18.46
- Q3
- 17.45
- Median
- 13.09
- Q1
- 10.49
- Min
- 1.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 916.73, COST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Discount Stores industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 1.02 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.91 | 0.52 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.21 | 0.30 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.47 | -0.49 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 916.73 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASML and COST. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASML
0.85%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Yield of 0.85% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
COST
0.48%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.51%
- Q3
- 0.91%
- Median
- 0.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.48% is consistent with its peers in the Discount Stores industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASML
28.49%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASML’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.49% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
COST
19.69%
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 44.99%
- Q3
- 36.65%
- Median
- 19.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 19.69% is within the typical range for the Discount Stores industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASML | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.85% | 0.48% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.49% | 19.69% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASML
29.72
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
ASML’s P/E Ratio of 29.72 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
COST
55.87
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 55.76
- Q3
- 45.00
- Median
- 33.38
- Q1
- 22.25
- Min
- 10.79
At 55.87, COST’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Discount Stores industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASML
1.90
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
COST
5.06
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.06
- Q3
- 3.70
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- 1.25
A Forward PEG Ratio of 5.06 places COST in the upper quartile for the Discount Stores industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASML
8.44
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
ASML’s P/S Ratio of 8.44 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
COST
1.63
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 2.07
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.43
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.63 is in the upper echelon for the Discount Stores 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
ASML
14.78
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 14.78, ASML’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors 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
16.15
Discount Stores Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.30
- Median
- 5.40
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- 2.73
At 16.15, COST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Discount Stores 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 | ASML | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.72 | 55.87 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.90 | 5.06 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 8.44 | 1.63 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 14.78 | 16.15 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 27.93 | 59.82 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 22.09 | 37.31 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 8.27 | 1.61 |