AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) vs NIKE, Inc. (NKE)

AZO leads on 13 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AutoZone, Inc. and NIKE, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AZO vs NKE

growth of $100 · last 30y
AZO +8442.1%NKE +620.9%AZO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$8,542$721
AZO NKE

AZO vs NKE: by the numbers

  • NKE is the larger company ($66.82B vs $50.16B market cap).
  • AZO trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.07 vs 29.74 P/E).
  • AZO converts more revenue to profit (12.40% vs 4.84% net margin).
  • AZO grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.98% vs 3.86% CAGR).
  • NKE pays a dividend (3.61% yield) while AZO does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AZO or NKE?

Metric tally: AZO 13 · NKE 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAZO(lower P/E)
GrowthAZO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAZO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAZONKE
P/E ratio21.0729.74
Forward P/E17.4524.90
P/S ratio2.581.44
P/B ratio4.75
PEG ratio1.395.05
EV / EBITDA15.0119.45
FCF yield3.16%1.57%

Profitability

MetricAZONKE
Gross margin51.75%40.81%
Operating margin18.02%6.03%
Net margin12.40%4.84%
ROE-73.17%15.97%
ROIC28.13%11.57%

Dividends

MetricAZONKE
Dividend yield3.61%
Payout ratio75.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAZONKE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.98%3.86%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.11%5.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-11.96%-22.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.20%-17.50%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AZO or NKE?
It depends on your goal. value: AZO (lower P/E); growth: AZO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: AZO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZO leads 13 to 2.
Is AZO or NKE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AZO is cheaper: AZO trades at a 21.07 P/E and NKE at 29.74.
Which has grown faster, AZO or NKE?
Over the past five years, AZO grew revenue faster — AZO at a 6.98% CAGR versus NKE at 3.86%.
Does AZO or NKE pay a bigger dividend?
NKE pays a dividend (3.61% yield) while AZO does not currently pay one.
Is AZO or NKE more profitable?
AZO runs the higher net margin — AZO at 12.40% versus NKE at 4.84%.
Which has been the better investment, AZO or NKE?
Over the past 10-year, AZO delivered the higher annualized total return — AZO at 15.18% versus NKE at -0.35%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 19, 2026.