Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BUD
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
$86.48Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$951.89Consumer DefensiveAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — BUD vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 17yBUD +222.7%COST +2391.6%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
BUD COST
BUD vs COST: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($422.14B vs $167.00B market cap).
- •BUD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.15 vs 47.88 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BUD converts more revenue to profit (10.14% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 3.94% CAGR).
- •BUD pays the higher dividend yield (1.56% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.15 | 47.88 |
| Forward P/E | 19.59 | 46.34 |
| P/S ratio | 1.42 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 1.96 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | 1.00 | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 4.77 | 29.90 |
| FCF yield | 13.07% | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 55.67% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 31.82% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 10.14% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 13.99% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 6.32% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.56% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 38.95% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BUD | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.94% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 37.66% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 10.48% | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.07% | 17.97% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BUD or COST?
- BUD has the lower trailing P/E: BUD trades at 14.15 and COST at 47.88. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BUD or COST?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — BUD at a 3.94% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does BUD or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- BUD yields 1.56% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BUD or COST more profitable?
- BUD runs the higher net margin — BUD at 10.14% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have BUD and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, BUD delivered -1.98% and COST delivered 19.98% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ROECostco Wholesale ROEAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV & 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 July 31, 2026.