Which stock is better: COST or WMT?

The comparison between Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) and Walmart Inc. (WMT) depends on your investment criteria. Compare valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics to determine which aligns better with your investment goals.

What is the P/E ratio of COST vs WMT?

COST has a P/E ratio of 51.79, while WMT has a P/E ratio of 45.55. A lower P/E ratio may indicate a more attractive valuation.

What is the market cap difference between COST and WMT?

COST has a market cap of approximately 444.5B, while WMT has a market cap of approximately 1T.

COST vs WMT

Name: COST Stock
Brand: Costco Wholesale Corporation
Price: 1001.74 USD
Availability: InStock

In the past 12 months, WMT returned +44% while COST gained 9%.

Valuation Growth Profitability Balance Sheet Performance

COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation

$1,001.74

-1.0%(1M)

Market Cap444.5B

Consumer Defensive

Discount Stores

USA

P/E Ratio51.79

ROE28.8%

P/B Ratio13.80

Dividend Yield0.5%

WMT

Walmart Inc.

$125.99

-2.2%(1M)

Market Cap1T

Consumer Defensive

Discount Stores

USA

P/E Ratio45.55

ROE23.7%

P/B Ratio10.01

Dividend Yield0.8%

Performance Comparison

Historical returns across multiple timeframes

COST leads 5/8

COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation

+9.3%

1Y Return

WMT

Walmart Inc.

+44.1%

1Y Return

COST

WMT

Short Term

1M-6M

+9.6%

Medium Term

YTD-1Y

+27.9%

Long Term

3Y-10Y

+287.3%

Valuation

Compare price multiples and valuation ratios

COST: 1WMT: 4

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
P/E Ratio Price to earnings ratio	51.79	45.55	WMT
Forward P/E Forward price to earnings ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie
P/S Ratio Price to sales ratio	1.55	1.40	WMT
P/B Ratio Price to book ratio	13.80	10.01	WMT
P/FCF Ratio Price to free cash flow ratio	48.65	66.85	COST
EV/EBITDA Enterprise value to EBITDA	30.26	22.42	WMT
PEG Ratio Price/earnings to growth ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie

Profitability

Compare profit margins and returns on capital

COST: 3WMT: 3

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
Gross Margin Gross profit margin	12.9%	24.9%	WMT
Operating Margin Operating profit margin	3.8%	4.2%	WMT
Net Margin Net profit margin	3.0%	3.1%	WMT
ROE Return on equity	28.8%	23.7%	COST
ROA Return on assets	10.2%	7.7%	COST
ROIC Return on invested capital	19.1%	11.9%	COST

Growth

Compare revenue and earnings growth rates

COST: 4WMT: 2

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
Revenue Growth (YoY) Year-over-year revenue growth	8.2%	4.7%	COST
Revenue Growth (3Y) 3-year revenue CAGR	6.6%	5.3%	COST
Revenue Growth (5Y) 5-year revenue CAGR	10.5%	5.0%	COST
EPS Growth (YoY) Year-over-year EPS growth	10.0%	13.3%	WMT
EPS Growth (3Y) 3-year EPS CAGR	11.5%	24.3%	WMT
EPS Growth (5Y) 5-year EPS CAGR	15.1%	11.0%	COST

Balance Sheet & Risk

Compare financial stability and debt levels

COST: 4WMT: 1

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
Debt/Equity Debt to equity ratio	0.08	0.67	COST
Current Ratio Current assets to current liabilities	1.06	0.79	COST
Quick Ratio Quick assets to current liabilities	0.59	0.24	COST
Interest Coverage EBIT to interest expense	73.42	10.66	COST
Beta Stock volatility vs market	0.99	0.00	WMT

Summary

COST wins 2-1

Valuation

WMT

Profitability

Tie

Growth

COST

Balance Sheet

COST

WMT is more attractively valued. COST demonstrates better growth. COST has a stronger balance sheet.

Take Your Analysis Further

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