Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, 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: AMAT is classified in Technology; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
AMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
$476.46TechnologyDelayed 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 — AMAT vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAMAT +24231.5%COST +11175.1%AMAT compounded faster
AMAT COST
AMAT vs COST: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $378.29B market cap).
- •COST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (47.87 vs 48.58 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AMAT converts more revenue to profit (29.31% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 9.33% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.56% vs 0.37%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 48.58 | 47.87 |
| Forward P/E | 42.09 | 46.33 |
| P/S ratio | 14.23 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 17.27 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | 76.84 | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 45.66 | 29.89 |
| FCF yield | 1.44% | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.96% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 29.51% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 29.31% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 35.58% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 21.96% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 21.93% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.33% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.13% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.02% | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 31.94% | 18.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMAT or COST?
- COST has the lower trailing P/E: AMAT trades at 48.58 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, AMAT or COST?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does AMAT or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- AMAT yields 0.37% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AMAT or COST more profitable?
- AMAT runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have AMAT and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AMAT delivered 35.87% and COST delivered 20.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Materials P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioApplied Materials dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldApplied Materials ROECostco Wholesale ROEApplied Materials operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginApplied Materials revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthApplied Materials free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Applied Materials & 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.