COST vs. GS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and GS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Capital Markets |
| Market Capitalization | 407.05 billion USD | 238.31 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | May 4, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and GS 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 | GS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -4.29% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.05% | 6.10% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.61% | 26.81% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.15% | 31.76% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.27% | -1.75% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.73% | 35.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.48M | 2.05M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.31M | 1.91M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.62% | 24.40% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.35 |
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.
GS
13.49%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 41.61%
- Q3
- 22.56%
- Median
- 13.62%
- Q1
- 9.23%
- Min
- -4.25%
GS’s Return on Equity of 13.49% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets 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.
GS
13.10%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 69.91%
- Q3
- 36.88%
- Median
- 24.30%
- Q1
- 13.14%
- Min
- -6.20%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.10% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
GS
16.71%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 83.68%
- Q3
- 47.64%
- Median
- 32.36%
- Q1
- 19.28%
- Min
- 0.30%
GS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.71% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 13.49% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 0.95% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 13.10% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 16.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 40.13% |
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.
GS
0.31
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 3.43
- Q3
- 1.76
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.04
For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
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.
GS
9.19
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 6.12
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.
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.
GS
--
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 107.59
- Q3
- 50.42
- Median
- 10.94
- Q1
- 4.37
- Min
- -36.26
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.31 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 9.19 |
| 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.
GS
2.09%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 8.63%
- Q3
- 4.88%
- Median
- 2.72%
- Q1
- 1.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Yield of 2.09% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets 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.
GS
29.80%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 188.84%
- Q3
- 96.52%
- Median
- 61.58%
- Q1
- 31.74%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.80% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.53% | 2.09% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 29.80% |
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.
GS
14.23
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 47.53
- Q3
- 28.81
- Median
- 16.62
- Q1
- 12.06
- Min
- 5.71
GS’s P/E Ratio of 14.23 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets 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.
GS
1.86
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.65
- Median
- 4.40
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 0.03
In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s P/S Ratio of 1.86 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
GS
1.94
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 10.83
- Q3
- 5.27
- Median
- 2.66
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.37
GS’s P/B Ratio of 1.94 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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 | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.51 | 14.23 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 1.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 1.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.19 | 4.43 |