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 | 407.05 billion USD | 1,528.65 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 | 0.81% | -4.00% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.05% | -21.55% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.61% | -8.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.15% | 4.31% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.27% | -7.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.73% | 2.82% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.48M | 21.64M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.31M | 14.58M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.62% | 31.01% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.30 |
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.
META
30.93%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 51.86%
- Q3
- 34.65%
- Median
- 13.84%
- Q1
- 6.07%
- Min
- -21.93%
META’s Return on Equity of 30.93% is on par with the norm for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
30.89%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 30.89%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.75%
- Min
- -11.99%
META’s Net Profit Margin of 30.89% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Interactive Media & Services 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.
META
43.23%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 35.84%
- Median
- 19.27%
- Q1
- 12.16%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 43.23% 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% | 30.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 20.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 30.89% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 43.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 82.00% |
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.
META
1.98
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.52
- Median
- 1.78
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.25
META’s Current Ratio of 1.98 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
- 3.58
- 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.
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.87
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.30
- 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
- 5.55
- 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.
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.48
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.50
- 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 | 1.98 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 1.67 |
| 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
0.53%
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.
META
0.34%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.24%
- Q3
- 1.57%
- Median
- 0.29%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.34% 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
- 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.
META
8.98%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 41.32%
- Median
- 8.01%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.98% 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) | 0.53% | 0.34% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 8.98% |
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.
META
26.25
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.88
- Q3
- 35.11
- Median
- 24.08
- Q1
- 16.48
- Min
- 1.73
META’s P/E Ratio of 26.25 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
1.49
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.
META
8.11
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 18.66
- Q3
- 9.65
- Median
- 5.89
- Q1
- 2.17
- Min
- 0.00
META’s P/S Ratio of 8.11 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
- 4.65
- 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.
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 8.07
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 1.91
- Min
- 0.16
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) | 50.51 | 26.25 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 8.11 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 9.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.19 | 34.26 |