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 47.60, while WMT has a P/E ratio of 42.89. 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 438.3B, while WMT has a market cap of approximately 945.5B.

COST vs WMT

Name: COST Stock
Brand: Costco Wholesale Corporation
Price: 989.11 USD
Availability: InStock

In the past 12 months, WMT returned +12% while COST gained 7%.

Valuation Growth Profitability Balance Sheet Performance

COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation

$989.11

10.7%(1M)

Market Cap438.3B

Consumer Defensive

Discount Stores

USA

P/E Ratio47.60

ROE28.0%

P/B Ratio12.27

Dividend Yield0.6%

WMT

Walmart Inc.

$118.81

10.5%(1M)

Market Cap945.5B

Consumer Defensive

Discount Stores

USA

P/E Ratio42.89

ROE22.7%

P/B Ratio9.62

Dividend Yield0.8%

Performance Comparison

Historical returns across multiple timeframes

COST leads 5/8

COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation

+6.9%

1Y Return

WMT

Walmart Inc.

+11.6%

1Y Return

COST

WMT

Short Term

1M-6M

+5.2%

Medium Term

YTD-1Y

+10.8%

Long Term

3Y-10Y

+250.7%

Valuation

Compare price multiples and valuation ratios

COST: 1WMT: 4

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
P/E Ratio Price to earnings ratio	47.60	42.89	WMT
Forward P/E Forward price to earnings ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie
P/S Ratio Price to sales ratio	1.45	1.28	WMT
P/B Ratio Price to book ratio	12.27	9.62	WMT
P/FCF Ratio Price to free cash flow ratio	46.68	69.99	COST
EV/EBITDA Enterprise value to EBITDA	29.71	21.55	WMT
PEG Ratio Price/earnings to growth ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie

Profitability

Compare profit margins and returns on capital

COST: 4WMT: 2

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
Gross Margin Gross profit margin	12.8%	25.2%	WMT
Operating Margin Operating profit margin	3.9%	4.4%	WMT
Net Margin Net profit margin	3.0%	3.0%	COST
ROE Return on equity	28.0%	22.7%	COST
ROA Return on assets	10.4%	7.5%	COST
ROIC Return on invested capital	18.6%	12.7%	COST

Growth

Compare revenue and earnings growth rates

COST: 5WMT: 1

Metric	COST	WMT	Winner
Revenue Growth (YoY) Year-over-year revenue growth	10.1%	4.7%	COST
Revenue Growth (3Y) 3-year revenue CAGR	7.8%	5.3%	COST
Revenue Growth (5Y) 5-year revenue CAGR	9.1%	5.0%	COST
EPS Growth (YoY) Year-over-year EPS growth	14.0%	13.3%	COST
EPS Growth (3Y) 3-year EPS CAGR	13.6%	24.3%	WMT
EPS Growth (5Y) 5-year EPS CAGR	13.0%	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	0.24	0.75	COST
Current Ratio Current assets to current liabilities	1.06	0.77	COST
Quick Ratio Quick assets to current liabilities	0.62	0.23	COST
Interest Coverage EBIT to interest expense	80.59	13.71	COST
Beta Stock volatility vs market	0.87	0.58	WMT

Summary

COST wins 3-1

Valuation

WMT

Profitability

COST

Growth

COST

Balance Sheet

COST

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

Take Your Analysis Further

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