Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Cisco Systems, Inc. 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: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; CSCO is classified in Technology. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$115.58TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs CSCO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%CSCO +3103.2%COST compounded faster
COST CSCO
COST vs CSCO: by the numbers
- •CSCO is the larger company ($455.55B vs $428.66B market cap).
- •CSCO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (38.19 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CSCO converts more revenue to profit (19.69% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 4.58% CAGR).
- •CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.45% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 38.19 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 26.80 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 7.52 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 9.35 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 68.42 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 28.77 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 2.76% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 64.33% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 23.36% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 19.69% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 24.47% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 11.66% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 1.45% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 64.84% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 4.58% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 0.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -2.45% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 19.58% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or CSCO?
- CSCO has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and CSCO at 38.19. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or CSCO?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus CSCO at 4.58%.
- Does COST or CSCO pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and CSCO yields 1.45% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or CSCO more profitable?
- CSCO runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus CSCO at 19.69%.
- How have COST and CSCO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and CSCO delivered 17.77% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioCisco Systems P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCisco Systems dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROECisco Systems ROECostco Wholesale operating marginCisco Systems operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthCisco Systems revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowCisco Systems free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Cisco Systems 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.