BUD vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BUD and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
BUD 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 | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV | Costco Wholesale Corporation |
| Country | Belgium | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Beverages | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 124.13 billion USD | 421.09 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 1, 2009 | July 9, 1986 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BUD 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 | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.63% | -2.08% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.48% | -6.71% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 3.91% | -8.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -3.00% | 6.39% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.36% | 1.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.17% | 3.63% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.15M | 2.32M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.70M | 2.12M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.91% | 18.04% |
| Beta | 0.90 | 0.99 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BUD
3.64%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 49.46%
- Q3
- 24.91%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 5.27%
- Min
- -5.93%
BUD’s Return on Equity of 3.64% is in the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BUD
12.16%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 21.86%
- Q3
- 12.24%
- Median
- 8.70%
- Q1
- 5.33%
- Min
- -4.40%
BUD’s Net Profit Margin of 12.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Beverages 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BUD
27.17%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 29.32%
- Q3
- 18.25%
- Median
- 13.42%
- Q1
- 10.58%
- Min
- 0.71%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.17% places BUD in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.64% | 31.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.39% | 10.75% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.16% | 2.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.17% | 3.75% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.70% | 12.78% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BUD
0.64
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.53
BUD’s Current Ratio of 0.64 falls into the lower quartile for the Beverages 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
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BUD
0.94
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
BUD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94 is typical for the Beverages industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BUD
3.55
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 78.96
- Q3
- 40.67
- Median
- 9.62
- Q1
- 3.59
- Min
- 0.81
In the lower quartile for the Beverages industry, BUD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.55 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 1.02 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.45 | 0.52 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.55 | 91.27 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BUD
2.98%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 6.93%
- Q3
- 4.51%
- Median
- 3.09%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
BUD’s Dividend Yield of 2.98% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BUD
126.97%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 143.36%
- Q3
- 99.22%
- Median
- 67.03%
- Q1
- 40.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
BUD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 126.97% is in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.98% | 0.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 126.97% | 25.50% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BUD
17.36
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 41.48
- Q3
- 28.35
- Median
- 19.09
- Q1
- 15.36
- Min
- 3.14
BUD’s P/E Ratio of 17.36 is within the middle range for the Beverages 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
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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BUD
2.11
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 3.90
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.41
BUD’s P/S Ratio of 2.11 aligns with the market consensus for the Beverages industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BUD
1.50
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 6.29
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.19
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- 0.91
BUD’s P/B Ratio of 1.50 is in the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.36 | 56.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.11 | 1.64 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.50 | 16.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 10.59 | 60.08 |