Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar 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: CAT is classified in Industrials; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$840.85IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCAT +10980.7%COST +11175.1%COST compounded faster
CAT COST
CAT vs COST: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $387.33B market cap).
- •CAT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (43.45 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •CAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.69% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.45 | 47.87 |
| Forward P/E | 35.24 | 46.33 |
| P/S ratio | 5.75 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 21.80 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | 1.55 | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 31.77 | 29.89 |
| FCF yield | 2.81% | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 16.56% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 13.31% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 50.48% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 11.42% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.69% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77% | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.31% | 18.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or COST?
- CAT has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 43.45 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, CAT or COST?
- Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does CAT or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.69% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or COST more profitable?
- CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have CAT and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 29.17% and COST delivered 20.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCaterpillar ROECostco Wholesale ROECaterpillar operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Caterpillar & 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.