COST vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at COST and WFC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Wells Fargo & Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 441.07 billion USD | 250.38 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and WFC 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 | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.97% | -1.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -3.85% | 2.76% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.64% | -0.88% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 14.01% | 38.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.85% | -3.06% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.55% | 11.28% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.97M | 13.57M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.10M | 17.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.17% | 24.23% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.27 |
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.
WFC
11.36%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 26.37%
- Q3
- 15.92%
- Median
- 12.25%
- Q1
- 8.69%
- Min
- 0.15%
WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.36% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
WFC
22.19%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.70%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.53%
- Min
- 6.98%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% 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
3.75%
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.
WFC
25.35%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.59%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 13.37%
WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.13% | 11.36% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.75% | 1.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.92% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.75% | 25.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.78% | -- |
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.
WFC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
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.
WFC
2.01
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.62
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
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.
WFC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.52 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 2.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | -- |
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.
WFC
2.53%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 5.83%
- Median
- 3.81%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- 0.00%
WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Banks 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.
WFC
31.00%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 147.07%
- Q3
- 80.55%
- Median
- 54.40%
- Q1
- 35.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.35% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.50% | 31.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
56.05
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
At 56.05, 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.
WFC
12.27
Banks Industry
- Max
- 20.05
- Q3
- 12.65
- Median
- 10.21
- Q1
- 7.54
- Min
- 2.74
WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.27 is within the middle range for the Banks 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
1.64
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 1.64 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.
WFC
1.91
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.06
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.45
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.
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.
WFC
1.42
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.18
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.20
WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the upper tier for the Banks 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 | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 56.05 | 12.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.64 | 1.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 16.62 | 1.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 60.08 | 16.66 |