AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of AbbVie Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: ABBV is classified in Healthcare; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
ABBV
AbbVie Inc.
$263.48HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ABBV vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yABBV +1164.7%COST +926.9%ABBV compounded faster
ABBV COST
ABBV vs COST: by the numbers
- •ABBV is the larger company ($465.51B vs $428.66B market cap).
- •COST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (47.87 vs 125.98 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ABBV converts more revenue to profit (5.79% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 4.59% CAGR).
- •ABBV pays the higher dividend yield (2.62% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ABBV | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 125.98 | 47.87 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 46.33 |
| P/S ratio | 7.26 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 16.57 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.46 | 29.89 |
| FCF yield | 4.58% | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | ABBV | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 70.68% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 27.60% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 5.79% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 13.23% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 12.97% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | ABBV | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.62% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 284.39% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ABBV | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.59% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.79% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.24% | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 21.24% | 18.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ABBV or COST?
- COST has the lower trailing P/E: ABBV trades at 125.98 and COST at 47.87. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ABBV or COST?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — ABBV at a 4.59% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does ABBV or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- ABBV yields 2.62% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ABBV or COST more profitable?
- ABBV runs the higher net margin — ABBV at 5.79% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have ABBV and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ABBV delivered 19.57% and COST delivered 20.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AbbVie P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioAbbVie dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldAbbVie ROECostco Wholesale ROEAbbVie operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginAbbVie revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthAbbVie free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
AbbVie & Costco Wholesale appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.