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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BAC	COST
Company Name	Bank of America Corporation	Costco Wholesale Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Banks	Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Market Capitalization	358.13 billion USD	441.07 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	February 21, 1973	July 9, 1986
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BAC 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BAC	COST
5-Day Price Return	1.34%	1.97%
13-Week Price Return	8.00%	-3.85%
26-Week Price Return	4.36%	-7.64%
52-Week Price Return	21.88%	14.01%
Month-to-Date Return	2.28%	5.85%
Year-to-Date Return	10.01%	8.55%
10-Day Avg. Volume	32.33M	1.97M
3-Month Avg. Volume	39.90M	2.10M
3-Month Volatility	19.69%	17.17%
Beta	1.36	0.99

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BAC

9.46%

Banks Industry

Max: 26.37%
Q3: 15.92%
Median: 12.25%
Q1: 8.69%
Min: 0.15%

BAC’s Return on Equity of 9.46% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

COST

31.13%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 34.20%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.70%
Q1: 5.18%
Min: -9.87%

In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BAC

30.16%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.70%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.53%
Min: 6.98%

BAC’s Net Profit Margin of 30.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

COST

2.92%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 7.16%
Q3: 3.87%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.65%
Min: -0.70%

COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.92% 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BAC

32.74%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.59%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 13.37%

BAC’s Operating Profit Margin of 32.74% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

COST

3.75%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 9.42%
Q3: 5.29%
Median: 4.03%
Q1: 2.22%
Min: -1.85%

COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.75% 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BAC	COST
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.46%	31.13%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.84%	10.75%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	30.16%	2.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	32.74%	3.75%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	12.78%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BAC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

COST

1.02

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.80
Q3: 1.25
Median: 0.97
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.52

COST’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BAC

2.54

Banks Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.62
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

COST

0.21

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 1.56
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 0.21 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BAC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

COST

91.27

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 24.36
Q3: 14.71
Median: 6.25
Q1: 3.16
Min: -10.70

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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BAC	COST
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	1.02
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.52
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.54	0.21
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	91.27

Growth

Revenue Growth

BAC 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

BAC 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)

BAC

2.66%

Banks Industry

Max: 10.27%
Q3: 5.83%
Median: 3.81%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.00%

BAC’s Dividend Yield of 2.66% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

COST

0.35%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 6.63%
Q3: 3.17%
Median: 1.35%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BAC

33.91%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

BAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.91% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

COST

25.50%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 163.46%
Q3: 90.34%
Median: 52.13%
Q1: 20.46%
Min: 0.00%

COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 25.50% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BAC	COST
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.66%	0.35%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	33.91%	25.50%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BAC

12.73

Banks Industry

Max: 20.05
Q3: 12.65
Median: 10.21
Q1: 7.54
Min: 2.74

A P/E Ratio of 12.73 places BAC in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

COST

56.05

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 49.92
Q3: 31.34
Median: 23.38
Q1: 17.55
Min: 6.19

At 56.05, 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BAC

2.33

Banks Industry

Max: 5.06
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

COST

1.64

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.88
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.06

COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.64 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BAC

1.17

Banks Industry

Max: 2.18
Q3: 1.36
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.20

BAC’s P/B Ratio of 1.17 is within the conventional range for the Banks 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

16.62

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 9.74
Q3: 4.99
Median: 2.88
Q1: 1.77
Min: 0.46

At 16.62, 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.

BAC vs. COST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BAC	COST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	12.73	56.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.33	1.64
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.17	16.62
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	8.12	60.08