COST vs. STZ: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and STZ, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Constellation Brands, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Beverages |
| Market Capitalization | 434.10 billion USD | 30.04 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | March 17, 1992 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and STZ 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 | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.14% | -1.65% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -3.67% | -10.28% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.86% | -0.35% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.35% | -28.66% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.17% | 1.99% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 6.83% | -22.91% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.34M | 1.52M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 2.15M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.98% | 27.77% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.70 |
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.
STZ
-5.93%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 49.46%
- Q3
- 24.91%
- Median
- 11.13%
- Q1
- 5.27%
- Min
- -5.93%
STZ has a negative Return on Equity of -5.93%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
STZ
-4.40%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 21.86%
- Q3
- 12.24%
- Median
- 8.70%
- Q1
- 5.33%
- Min
- -4.40%
STZ has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.40%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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.
STZ
1.24%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 29.32%
- Q3
- 18.25%
- Median
- 13.42%
- Q1
- 10.58%
- Min
- 0.71%
STZ’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.24% is in the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.13% | -5.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.75% | -1.97% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.92% | -4.40% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.75% | 1.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.78% | 51.67% |
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.
STZ
1.07
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.53
STZ’s Current Ratio of 1.07 aligns with the median group of the Beverages 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.
STZ
1.59
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
STZ’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Beverages industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.59. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
STZ
0.81
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 78.96
- Q3
- 40.67
- Median
- 9.62
- Q1
- 3.59
- Min
- 0.81
STZ’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.81 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 1.07 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.52 | 0.51 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 1.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 0.81 |
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.
STZ
2.44%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 6.93%
- Q3
- 4.51%
- Median
- 3.09%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
STZ’s Dividend Yield of 2.44% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages 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.
STZ
32.23%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 143.36%
- Q3
- 99.22%
- Median
- 67.03%
- Q1
- 40.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
STZ’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.23% is in the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.35% | 2.44% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.50% | 32.23% |
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.
STZ
--
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 41.48
- Q3
- 28.35
- Median
- 19.09
- Q1
- 15.36
- Min
- 3.14
P/E Ratio data for STZ is currently unavailable.
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.
STZ
2.96
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 3.90
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.41
STZ’s P/S Ratio of 2.96 is in the upper echelon for the Beverages 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.
STZ
4.24
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 6.29
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.19
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- 0.91
STZ’s P/B Ratio of 4.24 is in the upper tier for the Beverages 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 | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 55.52 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.62 | 2.96 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 16.62 | 4.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 59.51 | 14.43 |