COST vs. MSTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and MSTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Strategy Inc |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 405.73 billion USD | 99.79 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | June 11, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and MSTR 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 | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.16% | 7.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.26% | -12.96% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.21% | 21.98% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.19% | 113.58% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.11% | 9.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.10% | 21.41% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.02M | 12.27M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 11.41M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.96% | 51.31% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 3.43 |
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.
MSTR
18.10%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
MSTR’s Return on Equity of 18.10% is on par with the norm for the Software 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
- 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.
MSTR
1,036.61%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
MSTR’s Net Profit Margin of 1,036.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
MSTR
1,435.93%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
MSTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 1,435.93% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 18.10% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 13.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 1,036.61% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 1,435.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 70.10% |
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.
MSTR
0.68
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
MSTR’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
MSTR
0.16
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 is typical for the Software 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.
MSTR
-30.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
MSTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -30.23. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.68 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | -30.23 |
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.
MSTR
0.06%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR’s Dividend Yield of 0.06% is consistent with its peers in the Software 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.
MSTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.54% | 0.06% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 0.00% |
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.
MSTR
20.79
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, MSTR’s P/E Ratio of 20.79 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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.
MSTR
215.54
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 215.54, MSTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
MSTR
2.25
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
MSTR’s P/B Ratio of 2.25 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.20 | 20.79 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.48 | 215.54 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 2.25 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.88 | 1,699.13 |