COST vs. TSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and TSN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Tyson Foods, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Food Products |
| Market Capitalization | 405.42 billion USD | 18.65 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and TSN 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 | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.21% | -3.68% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -6.85% | -4.83% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.41% | -17.53% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.72% | -9.98% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.17% | -3.46% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.16% | -8.74% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.95M | 3.10M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.23M | 2.67M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.89% | 19.06% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.49 |
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.
TSN
4.26%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 30.51%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -2.18%
TSN’s Return on Equity of 4.26% is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
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.
TSN
1.45%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 6.29%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -0.80%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, TSN’s Net Profit Margin of 1.45% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
TSN
2.77%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.29%
- Median
- 9.64%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- 0.08%
TSN’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.77% is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.47% | 4.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.83% | 2.13% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.94% | 1.45% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.77% | 2.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.84% | 7.53% |
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.
TSN
1.73
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.99
- Q3
- 2.39
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.57
TSN’s Current Ratio of 1.73 aligns with the median group of the Food Products 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.
TSN
0.49
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
TSN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.49 is typical for the Food Products 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.
TSN
4.11
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 65.06
- Q3
- 29.45
- Median
- 9.43
- Q1
- 4.70
- Min
- -1.69
In the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, TSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.11 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 1.73 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.78 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.49 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 4.11 |
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.
TSN
3.70%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 8.09%
- Q3
- 4.48%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSN’s Dividend Yield of 3.70% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products 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.
TSN
88.65%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 216.00%
- Q3
- 112.15%
- Median
- 72.83%
- Q1
- 41.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 88.65% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.54% | 3.70% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.59% | 88.65% |
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.
TSN
23.94
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 41.70
- Q3
- 24.61
- Median
- 17.81
- Q1
- 12.59
- Min
- 3.07
TSN’s P/E Ratio of 23.94 is within the middle range for the Food Products 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.
TSN
0.35
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.11
In the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, TSN’s P/S Ratio of 0.35 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
TSN
1.09
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.47
TSN’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is in the lower quartile for the Food Products 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 | TSN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 49.90 | 23.94 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.47 | 0.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.34 | 1.09 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.57 | 11.20 |