BRK.B vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BRK.B and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. | Costco Wholesale Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Financial Services | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 1,076.36 billion USD | 405.73 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | May 9, 1996 | July 9, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BRK.B 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 | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.17% | -0.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.18% | -7.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.99% | -3.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.57% | 4.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.48% | -1.11% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.23% | -0.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.00M | 3.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.00M | 2.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 12.36% | 15.96% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 1.00 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BRK.B
9.68%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 18.88%
- Median
- 9.97%
- Q1
- 4.03%
- Min
- -10.25%
BRK.B’s Return on Equity of 9.68% is on par with the norm for the Financial Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
BRK.B
17.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 52.16%
- Q3
- 25.35%
- Median
- 12.68%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- -11.69%
BRK.B’s Net Profit Margin of 17.00% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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)
BRK.B
13.29%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 75.57%
- Q3
- 37.78%
- Median
- 19.09%
- Q1
- 10.04%
- Min
- -19.42%
BRK.B’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.29% is around the midpoint for the Financial Services 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.68% | 30.47% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.44% | 10.83% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.00% | 2.94% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.29% | 3.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.97% | 12.84% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BRK.B
1.95
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83
- Q3
- 2.70
- Median
- 1.44
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.01
For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
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)
BRK.B
0.19
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.14
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.
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)
BRK.B
0.57
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 136.23
- Q3
- 56.08
- Median
- 6.55
- Q1
- 2.01
- Min
- -33.27
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.
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 | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.19 | 0.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.57 | 91.27 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BRK.B
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12%
- Q3
- 3.37%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BRK.B currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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)
BRK.B
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 132.10%
- Q3
- 64.32%
- Median
- 18.23%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BRK.B has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
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 | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 34.59% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BRK.B
17.19
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 45.81
- Q3
- 30.21
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.14
- Min
- 0.70
BRK.B’s P/E Ratio of 17.19 is within the middle range for the Financial Services 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
50.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
At 50.20, 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)
BRK.B
2.92
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 10.88
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 2.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.06
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.
COST
1.48
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 1.48 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)
BRK.B
1.57
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.93
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.08
BRK.B’s P/B Ratio of 1.57 is within the conventional range for the Financial Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.19 | 50.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.92 | 1.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.57 | 14.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 91.29 | 51.88 |