Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
AAPL leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AAPL
Apple Inc.
$291.13Technology
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$982.35Consumer Defensive
Total return — AAPL vs COST
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +132310.1%COST +9597.4%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL COST
AAPL vs COST: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $435.65B market cap).
- •AAPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.20 vs 49.41 P/E).
- •AAPL converts more revenue to profit (27.15% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 6.76% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.55% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or COST?
Metric tally: AAPL 12 · COST 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAAPL(lower P/E)
GrowthCOST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCOST(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20● | 49.41 |
| Forward P/E | 30.22● | 43.40 |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 1.49● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | 13.03● |
| PEG ratio | 1.51● | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12● | 29.43 |
| FCF yield | 3.00%● | 2.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86%● | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 32.64%● | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 27.15%● | 3.01% |
| ROE | 115.10%● | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 0.55%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76% | 9.48%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58% | 21.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or COST?
- It depends on your goal. value: AAPL (lower P/E); growth: COST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: COST (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AAPL leads 12 to 5.
- Is AAPL or COST cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AAPL is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and COST at 49.41.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or COST?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does AAPL or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and COST yields 0.55% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or COST more profitable?
- AAPL runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus COST at 3.01%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or COST?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus COST at 21.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioApple dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldApple ROECostco Wholesale ROEApple operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginApple revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthApple free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Apple & Costco Wholesale appear in these rankings
Highest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.