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COST vs. KO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Here’s a clear look at COST and KO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolCOSTKO
Company NameCostco Wholesale CorporationThe Coca-Cola Company
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer StaplesConsumer Staples
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Staples Distribution & RetailFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryConsumer Staples Distribution & RetailBeverages
GICS Sub-IndustryConsumer Staples Merchandise RetailSoft Drinks & Non-alcoholic Beverages
Market Capitalization441.77 billion USD340.89 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNYSE
Listing DateJuly 9, 1986January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

COST’s market capitalization stands at 441.77 billion USD, while KO’s is 340.89 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of COST and KO 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.

COST
KO
Loading price history…
COST vs. KO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
5-Day Price Return-1.85%0.60%
13-Week Price Return1.82%3.04%
26-Week Price Return9.13%15.92%
52-Week Price Return-1.46%10.47%
Month-to-Date Return-1.85%0.60%
Year-to-Date Return15.47%13.33%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.73M15.50M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.08M16.75M
3-Month Volatility18.29%17.84%
Beta0.910.37

COST’s beta of 0.91 points to significantly higher volatility compared to KO (beta: 0.37), suggesting COST has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

COST

28.81%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
38.21%
Q3
20.51%
Median
13.99%
Q1
7.77%
Min
-4.97%

In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Return on Equity of 28.81% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

KO

43.62%

Beverages Industry
Max
44.80%
Q3
22.04%
Median
11.08%
Q1
5.74%
Min
-11.95%

In the upper quartile for the Beverages industry, KO’s Return on Equity of 43.62% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

COST

2.99%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
7.32%
Q3
4.00%
Median
2.72%
Q1
1.67%
Min
-1.66%

COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.99% 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.

KO

27.80%

Beverages Industry
Max
22.97%
Q3
12.20%
Median
7.84%
Q1
4.39%
Min
-5.02%

KO’s Net Profit Margin of 27.80% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Beverages industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

COST

3.82%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
9.78%
Q3
5.82%
Median
4.16%
Q1
2.55%
Min
-1.04%

COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.82% 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.

KO

30.01%

Beverages Industry
Max
30.01%
Q3
20.58%
Median
12.50%
Q1
8.64%
Min
-6.95%

An Operating Profit Margin of 30.01% places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
Return on Equity (TTM)28.81%43.62%
Return on Assets (TTM)10.72%13.07%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)2.99%27.80%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)3.82%30.01%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)12.93%61.74%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

COST

1.06

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
2.00
Q3
1.30
Median
0.96
Q1
0.81
Min
0.41

COST’s Current Ratio of 1.06 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.

KO

1.36

Beverages Industry
Max
3.70
Q3
2.04
Median
1.27
Q1
0.93
Min
0.54

KO’s Current Ratio of 1.36 aligns with the median group of the Beverages industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

COST

0.18

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
3.65
Q3
1.65
Median
1.12
Q1
0.31
Min
0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.18 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

KO

1.31

Beverages Industry
Max
2.03
Q3
1.07
Median
0.70
Q1
0.31
Min
0.00

KO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Beverages industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.31. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

COST

91.27

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
20.06
Q3
12.97
Median
5.54
Q1
3.02
Min
-3.06

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.

KO

67.13

Beverages Industry
Max
50.14
Q3
25.26
Median
8.45
Q1
5.72
Min
-10.77

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 67.13, KO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Beverages industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.061.36
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.591.01
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.181.31
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)91.2767.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)9.22%12.07%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)8.40%5.11%
3-Year Revenue CAGR6.64%3.69%
5-Year Revenue CAGR10.54%7.75%

EPS Growth

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)13.93%17.81%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)12.26%27.18%
3-Year EPS CAGR11.51%11.48%
5-Year EPS CAGR15.10%11.14%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

COST

0.64%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
7.82%
Q3
3.20%
Median
1.72%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

KO

3.24%

Beverages Industry
Max
8.85%
Q3
4.72%
Median
2.97%
Q1
1.87%
Min
0.00%

KO’s Dividend Yield of 3.24% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

COST

33.01%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
198.11%
Q3
102.09%
Median
45.08%
Q1
27.60%
Min
0.00%

COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.01% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

KO

80.07%

Beverages Industry
Max
195.44%
Q3
114.89%
Median
71.98%
Q1
42.52%
Min
0.00%

KO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 80.07% is within the typical range for the Beverages industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.64%3.24%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)33.01%80.07%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

COST

51.92

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
53.21
Q3
31.49
Median
20.48
Q1
16.05
Min
4.13

A P/E Ratio of 51.92 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.

KO

24.74

Beverages Industry
Max
35.46
Q3
23.70
Median
19.64
Q1
15.66
Min
6.52

A P/E Ratio of 24.74 places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

COST

1.55

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
1.54
Q3
0.87
Median
0.53
Q1
0.33
Min
0.09

With a P/S Ratio of 1.55, COST trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

KO

6.88

Beverages Industry
Max
3.50
Q3
2.26
Median
1.35
Q1
0.84
Min
0.51

With a P/S Ratio of 6.88, KO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Beverages industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

COST

14.09

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
Max
7.70
Q3
4.95
Median
2.98
Q1
1.90
Min
0.47

At 14.09, 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.

KO

9.81

Beverages Industry
Max
6.13
Q3
3.89
Median
2.19
Q1
1.32
Min
0.76

At 9.81, KO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Beverages 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.

COST vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCOSTKO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)51.9224.74
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.556.88
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)14.099.81
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)48.7826.98