COST vs. GEV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and GEV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | GE Vernova Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Electrical Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 407.05 billion USD | 159.42 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | March 27, 2024 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and GEV 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 | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -0.26% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.05% | -7.01% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.61% | 33.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.15% | 73.53% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.27% | -1.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.73% | 75.82% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.48M | 2.93M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.31M | 2.89M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.62% | 40.72% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.46 |
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.
GEV
19.09%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 35.25%
- Q3
- 23.48%
- Median
- 11.69%
- Q1
- 6.40%
- Min
- -4.39%
GEV’s Return on Equity of 19.09% is on par with the norm for the Electrical Equipment 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.
GEV
4.52%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 20.74%
- Q3
- 10.52%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- 3.04%
- Min
- -0.75%
GEV’s Net Profit Margin of 4.52% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electrical Equipment 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.
GEV
4.60%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 26.16%
- Q3
- 14.51%
- Median
- 8.86%
- Q1
- 4.72%
- Min
- -5.64%
GEV’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.60% is in the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 19.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 3.24% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 4.52% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 4.60% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 19.69% |
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.
GEV
1.03
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 2.05
- Median
- 1.44
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.85
GEV’s Current Ratio of 1.03 falls into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
GEV
0.00
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 0.91
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, GEV’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.
GEV
-0.05
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 47.39
- Q3
- 20.31
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- -10.92
GEV has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.05. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.74 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | -0.05 |
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.
GEV
0.00%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 2.91%
- Q3
- 1.66%
- Median
- 1.09%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GEV 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.
GEV
0.00%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 130.92%
- Q3
- 64.56%
- Median
- 37.60%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GEV 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 | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
GEV
91.93
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 51.71
- Q3
- 37.50
- Median
- 23.51
- Q1
- 19.68
- Min
- 8.22
At 91.93, GEV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Electrical Equipment 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)
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.
GEV
4.16
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 7.22
- Q3
- 4.00
- Median
- 1.70
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.43
GEV’s P/S Ratio of 4.16 is in the upper echelon for the Electrical Equipment 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)
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.
GEV
19.36
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 10.81
- Q3
- 5.42
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.78
At 19.36, GEV’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electrical Equipment 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 | GEV |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.51 | 91.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 4.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 19.36 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.19 | 63.26 |