Citigroup Inc. (C) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of Citigroup Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: C is classified in Financial Services; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
C
Citigroup Inc.
$132.49Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — C vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yC +152.3%COST +11175.1%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
C COST
C vs COST: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $227.21B market cap).
- •C trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.37 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •C converts more revenue to profit (11.59% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •C grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.75% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •C pays the higher dividend yield (1.80% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | C | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.37 | 47.87 |
| Forward P/E | 11.92 | 46.33 |
| P/S ratio | 1.50 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 1.09 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | 0.81 | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | N/A | 29.89 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | C | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.55% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 16.09% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 11.59% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 8.40% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 0.95% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | C | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.80% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 33.20% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | C | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.75% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.77% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.16% | 18.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, C or COST?
- C has the lower trailing P/E: C trades at 14.37 and COST at 47.87. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, C or COST?
- Over the past five years, C grew revenue faster — C at a 13.75% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does C or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- C yields 1.80% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is C or COST more profitable?
- C runs the higher net margin — C at 11.59% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have C and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, C delivered 14.95% and COST delivered 20.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Citigroup P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioCitigroup dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCitigroup ROECostco Wholesale ROECitigroup operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginCitigroup revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthCitigroup free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Citigroup & 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 28, 2026.