British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

A side-by-side comparison of British American Tobacco p.l.c. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnBTI vs COST

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BTI +71.8% (+5.6%/yr)COST +526.3% (+20.1%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$172$626
BTI COST

BTI vs COST: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($420.30B vs $121.24B market cap).
  • BTI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.59 vs 47.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • BTI converts more revenue to profit (20.62% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs -3.08% CAGR).
  • BTI pays the higher dividend yield (5.76% vs 0.58%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBTICOST
P/E ratio9.5947.67
Forward P/E15.5746.16
P/S ratio1.801.43
P/B ratio1.9112.57
EV / EBITDA6.7729.77
FCF yield15.70%2.09%

Profitability

MetricBTICOST
Gross margin83.50%12.88%
Operating margin39.04%3.82%
Net margin20.62%3.01%
ROE6.94%26.38%
ROIC8.04%19.01%

Dividends

MetricBTICOST
Dividend yield5.76%0.58%
Payout ratio68.53%30.37%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBTICOST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-3.08%9.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.31%15.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-9.26%4.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.25%16.32%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BTI or COST?
BTI has the lower trailing P/E: BTI trades at 9.59 and COST at 47.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BTI or COST?
Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — BTI at a -3.08% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
Does BTI or COST pay a bigger dividend?
BTI yields 5.76% and COST yields 0.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BTI or COST more profitable?
BTI runs the higher net margin — BTI at 20.62% versus COST at 3.01%.
How have BTI and COST total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, BTI delivered 5.54% and COST delivered 19.84% annualized total return. 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 August 23, 2026.