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.
BTI
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
$56.21Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$947.74Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — BTI vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yBTI +71.8% (+5.6%/yr)COST +526.3% (+20.1%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | BTI | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.59 | 47.67 |
| Forward P/E | 15.57 | 46.16 |
| P/S ratio | 1.80 | 1.43 |
| P/B ratio | 1.91 | 12.57 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.77 | 29.77 |
| FCF yield | 15.70% | 2.09% |
Profitability
| Metric | BTI | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.50% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 39.04% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 20.62% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 6.94% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 8.04% | 19.01% |
Dividends
| Metric | BTI | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.76% | 0.58% |
| Payout ratio | 68.53% | 30.37% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BTI | COST |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
British American Tobacco p.l.c. P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. ROECostco Wholesale ROEBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
British American Tobacco p.l.c. & Costco Wholesale appear in these rankings
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.