COST vs. DG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and DG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Dollar General Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 398.69 billion USD | 22.38 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | November 13, 2009 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and DG 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 | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.22% | -3.84% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.88% | -10.85% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.64% | 2.15% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -3.96% | 31.10% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.99% | 1.65% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -2.51% | 32.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.44M | 2.92M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.34M | 2.97M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.78% | 27.95% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.27 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
COST
30.47%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.03%
- Q3
- 20.64%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- 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.
DG
15.64%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.03%
- Q3
- 20.64%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- Min
- -9.87%
DG’s Return on Equity of 15.64% is on par with the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
COST
2.94%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.41%
- Q3
- 3.85%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- 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.
DG
2.86%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.41%
- Q3
- 3.85%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- -0.70%
DG’s Net Profit Margin of 2.86% 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)
COST
3.77%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.90%
- Q1
- 2.53%
- Min
- -0.11%
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.
DG
4.30%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.90%
- Q1
- 2.53%
- Min
- -0.11%
DG’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.30% 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 | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 15.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 3.80% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 2.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 4.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 30.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
COST
1.03
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.52
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.
DG
1.25
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.52
DG’s Current Ratio of 1.25 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)
COST
0.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.07
- 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.
DG
0.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
DG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
COST
91.27
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.55
- Q1
- 2.86
- 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.
DG
6.25
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.55
- Q1
- 2.86
- Min
- -5.51
DG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.25 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 1.25 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 6.25 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.55%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.30%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.55% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
DG
2.34%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.30%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DG’s Dividend Yield of 2.34% 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)
COST
34.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 100.66%
- Median
- 57.10%
- Q1
- 29.06%
- 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.
DG
43.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 100.66%
- Median
- 57.10%
- Q1
- 29.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
DG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.59% 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 | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.55% | 2.34% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 43.59% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
48.88
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 50.51
- Q3
- 32.01
- Median
- 21.81
- Q1
- 16.98
- Min
- 4.41
A P/E Ratio of 48.88 places COST in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
DG
18.65
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 50.51
- Q3
- 32.01
- Median
- 21.81
- Q1
- 16.98
- Min
- 4.41
DG’s P/E Ratio of 18.65 is within the middle range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
COST
1.44
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.44 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.
DG
0.53
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.06
DG’s P/S Ratio of 0.53 aligns with the market consensus for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
COST
14.34
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.65
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.94
- 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.
DG
2.98
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.65
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.46
DG’s P/B Ratio of 2.98 is within the conventional range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | DG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 48.88 | 18.65 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 0.53 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 2.98 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 50.52 | 12.01 |