Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

BKNG leads on 13 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Booking Holdings Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — BKNG vs COST

growth of $100 · last 27y
BKNG +896.0%COST +2039.7%COST compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $10020042009201420192024$996$2,140
BKNG COST

BKNG vs COST: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($435.65B vs $127.81B market cap).
  • BKNG trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.75 vs 49.41 P/E).
  • BKNG converts more revenue to profit (22.23% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • BKNG grew revenue faster over the past five years (37.43% vs 9.48% CAGR).
  • BKNG pays the higher dividend yield (0.97% vs 0.55%).

Which is better, BKNG or COST?

Metric tally: BKNG 13 · COST 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueBKNG(lower P/E)
GrowthBKNG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBKNG(higher dividend yield)
QualityBKNG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricBKNGCOST
P/E ratio21.7549.41
Forward P/E13.3843.40
P/S ratio4.731.49
P/B ratio13.03
PEG ratio0.145.23
EV / EBITDA14.0729.43
FCF yield6.90%2.02%

Profitability

MetricBKNGCOST
Gross margin100.00%12.88%
Operating margin34.28%3.82%
Net margin22.23%3.01%
ROE-96.88%26.38%
ROIC50.82%19.44%

Dividends

MetricBKNGCOST
Dividend yield0.97%0.55%
Payout ratio24.14%29.44%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBKNGCOST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)37.43%9.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)158.62%15.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)39.83%4.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.81%21.56%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BKNG or COST?
It depends on your goal. value: BKNG (lower P/E); growth: BKNG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BKNG (higher dividend yield); quality: BKNG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BKNG leads 13 to 3.
Is BKNG or COST cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BKNG is cheaper: BKNG trades at a 21.75 P/E and COST at 49.41.
Which has grown faster, BKNG or COST?
Over the past five years, BKNG grew revenue faster — BKNG at a 37.43% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
Does BKNG or COST pay a bigger dividend?
BKNG yields 0.97% and COST yields 0.55% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BKNG or COST more profitable?
BKNG runs the higher net margin — BKNG at 22.23% versus COST at 3.01%.
Which has been the better investment, BKNG or COST?
Over the past 10-year, COST delivered the higher annualized total return — BKNG at 12.30% versus COST at 21.26%. 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 14, 2026.