COST vs. NFLX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and NFLX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Netflix, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Entertainment |
| Market Capitalization | 434.10 billion USD | 511.80 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | May 23, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and NFLX 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 | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.14% | 2.04% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -3.67% | 8.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.86% | 18.58% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.35% | 90.23% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.17% | 3.88% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 6.83% | 35.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.34M | 2.98M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 3.93M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.98% | 25.71% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.61 |
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.
NFLX
42.50%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 42.50%
- Q3
- 22.75%
- Median
- 12.88%
- Q1
- 7.15%
- Min
- -6.84%
In the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, NFLX’s Return on Equity of 42.50% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
NFLX
24.58%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 45.25%
- Q3
- 23.93%
- Median
- 14.60%
- Q1
- 4.89%
- Min
- -22.94%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.58% places NFLX in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
NFLX
29.51%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 46.83%
- Q3
- 28.87%
- Median
- 15.26%
- Q1
- 8.95%
- Min
- -5.53%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.51% places NFLX in the upper quartile for the Entertainment 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 | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.13% | 42.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.75% | 19.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.92% | 24.58% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.75% | 29.51% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.78% | 48.49% |
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.
NFLX
1.34
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 6.80
- Q3
- 3.77
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.39
NFLX’s Current Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the median group of the Entertainment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
NFLX
0.58
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.14
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
NFLX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 is typical for the Entertainment 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
- 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.
NFLX
23.05
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 62.11
- Q3
- 31.19
- Median
- 7.50
- Q1
- 2.02
- Min
- -6.33
NFLX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 23.05 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Entertainment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 1.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.52 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 0.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 23.05 |
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.
NFLX
0.00%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 2.54%
- Q3
- 1.29%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NFLX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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.
NFLX
0.00%
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 82.30%
- Q3
- 45.76%
- Median
- 29.16%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NFLX 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 | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.35% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.50% | 0.00% |
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.
NFLX
50.67
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 53.51
- Q3
- 45.31
- Median
- 33.16
- Q1
- 18.21
- Min
- 3.89
A P/E Ratio of 50.67 places NFLX in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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.
NFLX
12.45
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 12.81
- Q3
- 7.20
- Median
- 4.68
- Q1
- 3.32
- Min
- 0.79
NFLX’s P/S Ratio of 12.45 is in the upper echelon for the Entertainment 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.
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.
NFLX
22.84
Entertainment Industry
- Max
- 17.11
- Q3
- 8.38
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 2.18
- Min
- 0.67
At 22.84, NFLX’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Entertainment 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | NFLX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 55.52 | 50.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.62 | 12.45 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 16.62 | 22.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 59.51 | 61.08 |