COST vs DG
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) and Dollar General Corp. (DG) compared on valuation, profitability, price performance and market sentiment. COST sentiment is neutral; DG is positive. Last analyzed Jul 13, 2026 and Jul 30, 2026.
Performance
Each rebased to 0% at the start of its recent history — the gap is relative out/under-performance.
- Last close
- $916.25$128.68
- Market cap
- $410.93B$28.39B
- P/E (TTM)
- 46.6Stronger: 18.2
- Forward P/E
- 40.9Stronger: 16.1
- Price / book
- 24.9Stronger: 3.2
- Net margin
- 3.01%Stronger: 3.63%
- Revenue growth
- Stronger: +21.50%+3.40%
- Dividend yield
- 0.64%Stronger: 1.83%
- Beta
- 0.870.25
- 52-week high
- $1,096.50$158.23
- 52-week low
- $844.06$95.11
marks the stronger side on ratios, margins, growth and yield. Levels like price and market cap aren’t scored.
Where they differ
Costco Wholesale Corp
Consumer Defensive · Discount Stores
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, the company sells a limited selection of goods in bulk across a broad range of categories: dry groceries and sundries, fresh meat, produce, bakery and deli items, appliances and electronics, health and beauty products, hardware, apparel, furniture, toys, tires, and jewelry, among others. Its warehouses operate in the United States and Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Many locations include ancillary services such as gas stations, pharmacies, optical and hearing-aid centers, food courts, and tire installation. The company also runs e-commerce sites, business centers, and a travel business. It was known as Costco Companies, Inc. before adopting its current name in August 1999.
Full COST overview →Dollar General Corp.
Consumer Defensive · Discount Stores
Dollar General is a discount retailer that operates stores across much of the United States, with a concentration in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern parts of the country. Its stores stock a mix of consumables and general merchandise at low price points: paper and cleaning products, packaged food, refrigerated and frozen items, snacks and beverages, over-the-counter medicines, personal care goods, pet food and supplies, and tobacco products. Beyond everyday consumables, the company sells seasonal and home goods — holiday items, toys, batteries, greeting cards, small electronics, gardening and hardware supplies, kitchenware, small appliances, and home textiles — along with basic apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. The business was founded in 1939 as J.L. Turner & Son and took its current name in 1968. It is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Full DG overview →COST vs DG: frequently asked questions
Which has the higher market cap, COST or DG?
COST has the higher market capitalization. COST is about $410.93B, compared with about $28.39B for DG.
Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or DG?
DG has the lower trailing P/E. COST trades at 46.6 times trailing earnings, versus 18.2 for DG.
Which has stronger market sentiment, COST or DG?
DG has the stronger composite sentiment score. COST scores 6 and DG scores 23 on a −100 to +100 scale.
Which pays the higher dividend yield, COST or DG?
DG has the higher indicated dividend yield. COST yields 0.64%, compared with 1.83% for DG.
Go deeper on COST and DG
Line up margins, growth, valuation and shared ETF exposure side by side — then read the full thesis, signals and risk levels behind each name.