COST vs. JPM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and JPM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 406.60 billion USD | 869.09 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and JPM 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 | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.08% | -0.87% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -6.50% | 6.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.44% | 25.23% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.52% | 47.35% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.88% | -1.50% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.02% | 29.62% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.12M | 9.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.22M | 8.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.94% | 16.89% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.10 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
COST
30.47%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 36.53%
- Q3
- 21.48%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- 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.
JPM
16.16%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 25.40%
- Q3
- 15.55%
- Median
- 12.00%
- Q1
- 8.98%
- Min
- -0.10%
In the upper quartile for the Banks industry, JPM’s Return on Equity of 16.16% 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
- 7.25%
- Q3
- 3.98%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- 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.
JPM
33.26%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.73%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 6.98%
JPM’s Net Profit Margin of 33.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks 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
- 5.61%
- Median
- 4.18%
- Q1
- 2.72%
- Min
- 0.23%
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.
JPM
41.23%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.73%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 12.28%
JPM’s Operating Profit Margin of 41.23% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 16.16% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 1.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 33.26% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 41.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
COST
1.03
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.28
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.49
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.
JPM
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
For the Banks 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
- 3.61
- Q3
- 1.64
- 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 0.20 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
JPM
3.03
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.78
- Q3
- 2.66
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
COST
91.27
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.79
- Q1
- 3.04
- 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.
JPM
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 3.03 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.54%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.08%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 1.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.54% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
JPM
1.81%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 11.03%
- Q3
- 6.00%
- Median
- 3.87%
- Q1
- 2.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
JPM’s Dividend Yield of 1.81% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
COST
34.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 172.48%
- Q3
- 103.93%
- Median
- 54.70%
- Q1
- 24.82%
- 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.
JPM
27.49%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 134.24%
- Q3
- 79.39%
- Median
- 55.09%
- Q1
- 36.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
JPM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.49% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.54% | 1.81% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 27.49% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
50.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
At 50.20, 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.
JPM
15.18
Banks Industry
- Max
- 22.69
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 10.32
- Q1
- 7.73
- Min
- 2.59
A P/E Ratio of 15.18 places JPM in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
COST
1.48
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.48 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.
JPM
2.90
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.45
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
COST
14.34
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.97
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- 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.
JPM
2.26
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.09
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.29
At 2.26, JPM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Banks 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 | JPM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.20 | 15.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.48 | 2.90 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 2.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.88 | 4.84 |