Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of Amazon.com, Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: AMZN is classified in Consumer Cyclical; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
$256.78Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$904.77Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AMZN vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAMZN +562.0% (+20.8%/yr)COST +528.3% (+20.2%/yr)AMZN compounded faster over this window
AMZN COST
AMZN vs COST: by the numbers
- •AMZN is the larger company ($2.76T vs $401.25B market cap).
- •AMZN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.66 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AMZN converts more revenue to profit (17.44% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •AMZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.84% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.66 | 45.51 |
| Forward P/E | 20.20 | 39.92 |
| P/S ratio | 3.56 | 1.37 |
| P/B ratio | 5.01 | 11.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.21 | 28.32 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 2.19% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.77% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 12.08% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 17.44% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 24.52% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 8.48% | 19.01% |
Dividends
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.61% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 27.87% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.84% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.90% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -21.57% | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.75% | 14.89% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMZN or COST?
- AMZN has the lower trailing P/E: AMZN trades at 20.66 and COST at 45.51. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AMZN or COST?
- Over the past five years, AMZN grew revenue faster — AMZN at a 11.84% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does AMZN or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is AMZN or COST more profitable?
- AMZN runs the higher net margin — AMZN at 17.44% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have AMZN and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AMZN delivered 20.81% and COST delivered 20.56% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Amazon.com P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldAmazon.com ROECostco Wholesale ROEAmazon.com operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginAmazon.com revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthAmazon.com free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Amazon.com & Costco Wholesale appear in these rankings
Highest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest 10-Year Total Return StocksLargest Companies by Market Cap
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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 September 10, 2026.