Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
AMZN leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
$238.55Consumer Cyclical
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$982.35Consumer Defensive
Not enough overlapping price history to compare AMZN and COST.
AMZN vs COST: by the numbers
- •AMZN is the larger company ($2.57T vs $435.65B market cap).
- •AMZN trades at the lower earnings multiple (28.53 vs 49.41 P/E).
- •AMZN converts more revenue to profit (12.22% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •AMZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.13% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.55% yield) while AMZN does not currently pay one.
Which is better, AMZN or COST?
Metric tally: AMZN 10 · COST 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAMZN(lower P/E)
GrowthAMZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCOST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 28.53● | 49.41 |
| Forward P/E | 23.71● | 43.40 |
| P/S ratio | 3.49 | 1.49● |
| P/B ratio | 5.87● | 13.03 |
| PEG ratio | 1.10● | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.34● | 29.43 |
| FCF yield | — | 2.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.60%● | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 11.50%● | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 12.22%● | 3.01% |
| ROE | 20.55% | 26.38%● |
| ROIC | 10.70% | 19.44%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.55% |
| Payout ratio | — | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.13%● | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.90%● | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -21.57% | 4.95%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.35% | 21.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AMZN or COST?
- It depends on your goal. value: AMZN (lower P/E); growth: AMZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: COST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AMZN leads 10 to 5.
- Is AMZN or COST cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AMZN is cheaper: AMZN trades at a 28.53 P/E and COST at 49.41.
- Which has grown faster, AMZN or COST?
- Over the past five years, AMZN grew revenue faster — AMZN at a 12.13% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does AMZN or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.55% yield) while AMZN does not currently pay one.
- Is AMZN or COST more profitable?
- AMZN runs the higher net margin — AMZN at 12.22% versus COST at 3.01%.
- Which has been the better investment, AMZN or COST?
- Over the past 10-year, COST delivered the higher annualized total return — AMZN at 20.84% versus COST at 21.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Amazon.com P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioAmazon.com dividend yieldCostco 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 StocksBest 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 June 13, 2026.