COST vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and MS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Morgan Stanley |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Capital Markets |
| Market Capitalization | 434.10 billion USD | 235.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and MS 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 | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.14% | 4.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -3.67% | 16.29% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.86% | 4.73% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.35% | 55.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.17% | 3.72% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 6.83% | 17.53% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.34M | 4.95M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 6.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.98% | 19.76% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
COST
31.13%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Return on Equity of 31.13% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MS
13.95%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 38.97%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.77%
- Q1
- 8.31%
- Min
- -4.25%
MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% 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
2.92%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.92% 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.
MS
13.06%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 66.67%
- Q3
- 35.11%
- Median
- 23.49%
- Q1
- 13.63%
- Min
- -15.18%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% 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
3.75%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.75% 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.
MS
17.07%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 86.40%
- Q3
- 46.46%
- Median
- 32.80%
- Q1
- 18.32%
- Min
- -21.87%
MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% 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 | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.13% | 13.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.75% | 1.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.92% | 13.06% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.75% | 17.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.78% | 54.42% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
COST
1.02
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
COST’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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.
MS
0.29
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- -0.41
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
0.21
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- 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 0.21 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
MS
7.68
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 6.62
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.32
- 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
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
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.
MS
1.25
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 126.03
- Q3
- 60.98
- Median
- 11.77
- Q1
- 4.95
- 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 | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 0.29 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.52 | 0.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 7.68 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 1.25 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.35%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MS
2.71%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 10.26%
- Q3
- 4.86%
- Median
- 2.78%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.71% 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
25.50%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 25.50% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MS
43.20%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 200.72%
- Q3
- 101.92%
- Median
- 57.97%
- Q1
- 32.36%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.35% | 2.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.50% | 43.20% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
55.52
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
At 55.52, 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.
MS
15.97
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 58.89
- Q3
- 31.00
- Median
- 18.54
- Q1
- 12.09
- Min
- 5.24
MS’s P/E Ratio of 15.97 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
1.62
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.62 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.
MS
2.08
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 14.49
- Q3
- 7.41
- Median
- 4.68
- Q1
- 2.25
- Min
- 0.04
In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 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
16.62
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
At 16.62, 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.
MS
2.08
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 9.48
- Q3
- 4.94
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.38
MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 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 | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 55.52 | 15.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.62 | 2.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 16.62 | 2.08 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 59.51 | 10.71 |