COST vs. DUOL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and DUOL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Duolingo, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Diversified Consumer Services |
| Market Capitalization | 407.05 billion USD | 8.15 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | July 28, 2021 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and DUOL 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 | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -4.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.05% | -43.39% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.61% | -65.18% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.15% | -42.78% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.27% | -31.62% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.73% | -42.92% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.48M | 3.58M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.31M | 1.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.62% | 78.38% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.88 |
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.
DUOL
38.57%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 38.57%
- Q3
- 23.32%
- Median
- 16.39%
- Q1
- 11.42%
- Min
- 0.11%
In the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, DUOL’s Return on Equity of 38.57% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
DUOL
40.03%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 19.38%
- Q3
- 14.08%
- Median
- 12.53%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- 0.13%
DUOL’s Net Profit Margin of 40.03% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
DUOL
10.99%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 25.21%
- Q3
- 22.49%
- Median
- 15.97%
- Q1
- 9.89%
- Min
- 1.47%
DUOL’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.99% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 38.57% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 25.18% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 40.03% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 10.99% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 71.99% |
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.
DUOL
2.82
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 4.47
- Q3
- 2.44
- Median
- 1.69
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.54
DUOL’s Current Ratio of 2.82 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its 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.
DUOL
0.00
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, DUOL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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)
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.
DUOL
--
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 17.00
- Q3
- 13.44
- Median
- 7.94
- Q1
- 3.90
- Min
- 1.66
Interest Coverage Ratio data for DUOL is currently unavailable.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 2.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 2.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.53%
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 0.53% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
DUOL
0.00%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.63%
- Q3
- 1.67%
- Median
- 0.01%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DUOL 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.
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.
DUOL
0.00%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 36.05%
- Q3
- 23.99%
- Median
- 0.04%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DUOL 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.53% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
50.51
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 50.51 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.
DUOL
21.30
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 39.85
- Q3
- 24.92
- Median
- 21.04
- Q1
- 13.50
- Min
- 6.38
DUOL’s P/E Ratio of 21.30 is within the middle range for the Diversified Consumer 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
COST
1.49
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 1.49 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.
DUOL
8.53
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.79
- Q3
- 2.57
- Median
- 1.86
- Q1
- 1.73
- Min
- 0.95
With a P/S Ratio of 8.53, DUOL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
DUOL
11.28
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 8.13
- Q3
- 5.29
- Median
- 3.89
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 1.15
At 11.28, DUOL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Diversified Consumer Services 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 | COST | DUOL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.51 | 21.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 8.53 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 11.28 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.19 | 23.66 |