COST vs. META: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and META, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Meta Platforms, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Interactive Media & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 405.73 billion USD | 1,785.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | May 18, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and META 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 | META |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.16% | -4.42% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.26% | -1.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.21% | 23.28% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.19% | 24.05% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.11% | -3.24% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.10% | 21.36% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.02M | 12.52M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 11.88M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.96% | 31.01% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.29 |
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.
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 33.08%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 5.76%
- Min
- -24.17%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% 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.
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 29.54%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.52%
- Min
- -14.52%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.82%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 7.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 39.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 25.83% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 39.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 44.02% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 81.95% |
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.
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.25
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.85
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.65
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -3.62
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 1.97 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 1.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.15 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 168.41 |
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.
META
0.28%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.07%
- Q3
- 1.27%
- Median
- 0.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.28% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 40.64%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.54% | 0.28% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 7.26% |
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.
META
25.54
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.72
- Q3
- 41.60
- Median
- 25.84
- Q1
- 18.18
- Min
- 1.76
META’s P/E Ratio of 25.54 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & 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
1.48
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.
META
10.21
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76
- Q3
- 11.40
- Median
- 7.69
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.00
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 9.00
- Median
- 3.97
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.33
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.20 | 25.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.48 | 10.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 9.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.88 | 36.43 |