COST vs. MU: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and MU, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Micron Technology, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 405.42 billion USD | 214.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | June 1, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and MU 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 | MU |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.21% | 14.13% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -6.85% | 59.24% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.41% | 115.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.72% | 87.55% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.17% | 14.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.16% | 126.90% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.95M | 33.59M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.23M | 23.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.89% | 47.40% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.53 |
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.
MU
17.05%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 47.13%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 9.94%
- Q1
- 0.86%
- Min
- -20.69%
MU’s Return on Equity of 17.05% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
MU
22.84%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 23.88%
- Median
- 10.17%
- Q1
- 1.21%
- Min
- -32.15%
MU’s Net Profit Margin of 22.84% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 5.61%
- 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.
MU
26.14%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.54%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 3.31%
- Min
- -28.36%
MU’s Operating Profit Margin of 26.14% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 17.05% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 11.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 22.84% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 26.14% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 39.79% |
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.
MU
2.52
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.73
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 1.02
MU’s Current Ratio of 2.52 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
MU
0.27
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
MU’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
MU
20.08
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 74.71
- Median
- 26.06
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
MU’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.08 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 2.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 1.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.27 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 20.08 |
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.
MU
0.23%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.72%
- Q3
- 1.51%
- Median
- 0.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MU’s Dividend Yield of 0.23% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
MU
6.11%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 205.27%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 27.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.11% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.54% | 0.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 6.11% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
49.90
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
At 49.90, 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.
MU
26.12
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 106.30
- Q3
- 61.93
- Median
- 38.96
- Q1
- 23.71
- Min
- 13.06
MU’s P/E Ratio of 26.12 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
1.47
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 1.47 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.
MU
5.97
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 5.23
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.13
MU’s P/S Ratio of 5.97 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
MU
2.52
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.22
- Q3
- 6.94
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 1.99
- Min
- 0.67
MU’s P/B Ratio of 2.52 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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 | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 49.90 | 26.12 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.47 | 5.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 2.52 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.57 | 125.25 |