COST vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at COST and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry Group | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail | Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 436.71 billion USD | 979.73 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 9, 1986 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
WMT's market capitalization (979.73 billion USD) is significantly greater than COST's (436.71 billion USD), highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of COST and WMT 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 | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.88% | 1.80% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.10% | 10.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.30% | 19.52% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.81% | 43.51% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.66% | -3.95% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.09% | 10.30% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.50M | 22.46M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.44M | 28.30M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.72% | 25.15% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 0.67 |
With betas of 0.98 for COST and 0.67 for WMT, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
COST
28.81%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.21%
- Q3
- 20.59%
- Median
- 13.73%
- Q1
- 8.12%
- Min
- -4.97%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST's Return on Equity of 28.81% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WMT
23.69%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.21%
- Q3
- 20.59%
- Median
- 13.73%
- Q1
- 8.12%
- Min
- -4.97%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT's Return on Equity of 23.69% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
COST
2.99%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.32%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- 1.49%
- Min
- -1.66%
COST's Net Profit Margin of 2.99% 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.
WMT
3.07%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.32%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- 1.49%
- Min
- -1.66%
WMT's Net Profit Margin of 3.07% 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
3.82%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 6.07%
- Median
- 4.13%
- Q1
- 2.65%
- Min
- -1.04%
COST's Operating Profit Margin of 3.82% 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.
WMT
4.18%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 6.07%
- Median
- 4.13%
- Q1
- 2.65%
- Min
- -1.04%
WMT's Operating Profit Margin of 4.18% 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 | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 28.81% | 23.69% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.72% | 7.91% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.99% | 3.07% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.82% | 4.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.93% | 24.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
COST
1.06
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.05
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.41
COST's Current Ratio of 1.06 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.
WMT
0.79
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.05
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.41
WMT's Current Ratio of 0.79 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
COST
0.18
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.60
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.18 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
WMT
0.52
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.60
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
WMT's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.52 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
- 13.35
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- -3.06
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.
WMT
13.12
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.35
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- -3.06
WMT's Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.06 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.59 | 0.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.18 | 0.52 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 91.27 | 13.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 9.22% | 5.60% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 8.40% | 4.73% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 6.64% | 5.27% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 10.54% | 4.99% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 13.93% | -18.67% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 12.26% | 13.49% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 11.51% | 24.21% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 15.10% | 11.53% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
COST
0.65%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.91%
- Q3
- 3.16%
- Median
- 1.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST's Dividend Yield of 0.65% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WMT
0.76%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.91%
- Q3
- 3.16%
- Median
- 1.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT's Dividend Yield of 0.76% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
COST
33.01%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 94.86%
- Median
- 56.79%
- Q1
- 27.90%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST's Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.01% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WMT
34.29%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 94.86%
- Median
- 56.79%
- Q1
- 27.90%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT's Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.29% 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 | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.65% | 0.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 33.01% | 34.29% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
COST
51.06
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 51.06
- Q3
- 31.09
- Median
- 21.80
- Q1
- 17.06
- Min
- 3.86
A P/E Ratio of 51.06 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.
WMT
45.40
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 51.06
- Q3
- 31.09
- Median
- 21.80
- Q1
- 17.06
- Min
- 3.86
A P/E Ratio of 45.40 places WMT 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
COST
1.52
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.09
COST's P/S Ratio of 1.52 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.
WMT
1.39
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.09
WMT's P/S Ratio of 1.39 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
COST
14.09
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.93
- Q3
- 5.39
- Median
- 2.90
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 0.47
At 14.09, 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.
WMT
9.93
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.93
- Q3
- 5.39
- Median
- 2.90
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 0.47
WMT's P/B Ratio of 9.93 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 51.06 | 45.40 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 1.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.09 | 9.93 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 47.97 | 66.60 |