COST vs WMT
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) and Walmart Inc. Common Stock (WMT) compared on valuation, profitability, price performance and market sentiment. COST sentiment is neutral; WMT is neutral. Last analyzed Jul 13, 2026 and Jul 13, 2026.
Performance
Each rebased to 0% at the start of its recent history — the gap is relative out/under-performance.
- Last close
- $916.25$113.90
- Market cap
- $410.93B$914.3B
- P/E (TTM)
- 46.6Stronger: 40.5
- Forward P/E
- 40.9Stronger: 35
- Price / book
- 24.9Stronger: 9.7
- Net margin
- 3.01%Stronger: 3.14%
- Revenue growth
- Stronger: +21.50%+7.30%
- Dividend yield
- 0.64%Stronger: 0.87%
- Beta
- 0.870.6
- 52-week high
- $1,096.50$135.16
- 52-week low
- $844.06$94.38
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 →Walmart Inc. Common Stock
Consumer Defensive · Discount Stores
Walmart Inc. operates retail and wholesale stores, warehouse clubs, and ecommerce sites worldwide. The business is organized into three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club U.S. Its store formats include supercenters, supermarkets, discount stores, and cash-and-carry locations under the Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market banners, alongside membership-only clubs operated as Sam's Club. Online channels include walmart.com and international sites such as walmart.ca, walmart.com.mx, and Flipkart in India. Merchandise spans groceries and consumables, health and wellness offerings including pharmacy, optical, and hearing services, home and seasonal goods, apparel, consumer electronics, and general merchandise, sold under both national and private-label brands. The company also provides financial services such as money transfers, bill payments, check cashing, prepaid products, and co-branded credit cards, and operates digital payment platforms. Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, it was known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. before adopting its current name in February 2018.
Full WMT overview →COST vs WMT: frequently asked questions
Which has the higher market cap, COST or WMT?
WMT has the higher market capitalization. COST is about $410.93B, compared with about $914.3B for WMT.
Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or WMT?
WMT has the lower trailing P/E. COST trades at 46.6 times trailing earnings, versus 40.5 for WMT.
Which has stronger market sentiment, COST or WMT?
WMT has the stronger composite sentiment score. COST scores 6 and WMT scores 6 on a −100 to +100 scale.
Which pays the higher dividend yield, COST or WMT?
WMT has the higher indicated dividend yield. COST yields 0.64%, compared with 0.87% for WMT.
Go deeper on COST and WMT
Line up margins, growth, valuation and shared ETF exposure side by side — then read the full thesis, signals and risk levels behind each name.