COST vs. TGT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and TGT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Target Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 407.05 billion USD | 40.91 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and TGT 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 | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -0.91% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.05% | -12.74% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.61% | -9.27% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.15% | -42.00% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.27% | -3.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.73% | -33.50% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.48M | 6.15M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.31M | 7.30M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.62% | 27.99% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.13 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
COST
30.47%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.03%
- Q3
- 20.64%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- 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.
TGT
26.40%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.03%
- Q3
- 20.64%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, TGT’s Return on Equity of 26.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
COST
2.94%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.41%
- Q3
- 3.85%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- 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.
TGT
3.72%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.41%
- Q3
- 3.85%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- -0.70%
TGT’s Net Profit Margin of 3.72% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
COST
3.77%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.90%
- Q1
- 2.53%
- Min
- -0.11%
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.
TGT
5.13%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.90%
- Q1
- 2.53%
- Min
- -0.11%
TGT’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.13% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 26.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 6.82% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 3.72% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 5.13% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 27.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
COST
1.03
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.52
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.
TGT
0.99
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.52
TGT’s Current Ratio of 0.99 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
COST
0.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.07
- 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.
TGT
1.07
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
TGT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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
- 5.55
- Q1
- 2.86
- 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.
TGT
13.80
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.55
- Q1
- 2.86
- Min
- -5.51
TGT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.80 is in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.99 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 13.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.53%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.30%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.53% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
TGT
5.04%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.30%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 5.04%, TGT offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
COST
34.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 100.66%
- Median
- 57.10%
- Q1
- 29.06%
- 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.
TGT
52.14%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 100.66%
- Median
- 57.10%
- Q1
- 29.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
TGT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.14% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.53% | 5.04% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 52.14% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
50.51
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 50.51
- Q3
- 32.01
- Median
- 21.81
- Q1
- 16.98
- Min
- 4.41
A P/E Ratio of 50.51 places COST in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
TGT
10.35
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 50.51
- Q3
- 32.01
- Median
- 21.81
- Q1
- 16.98
- Min
- 4.41
In the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, TGT’s P/E Ratio of 10.35 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
COST
1.49
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.49 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.
TGT
0.38
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.06
TGT’s P/S Ratio of 0.38 aligns with the market consensus for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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
- 4.65
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.94
- 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.
TGT
2.94
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.65
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.46
TGT’s P/B Ratio of 2.94 is within the conventional range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 50.51 | 10.35 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 0.38 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 2.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.19 | 11.75 |