Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs CVS Health Corp. (CVS)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and CVS Health Corp. 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; CVS is classified in Healthcare. 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
CVS
CVS Health Corp.
$109.34HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs CVS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%CVS +1692.7%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST CVS
COST vs CVS: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $139.51B market cap).
- •CVS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (47.17 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COST converts more revenue to profit (3.01% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.48% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 47.17 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 14.37 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 0.34 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 1.77 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 19.53 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 5.40% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 13.87% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 1.46% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 0.72% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 3.79% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 4.72% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 2.48% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 190.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 8.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -23.89% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -10.57% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 8.59% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or CVS?
- CVS has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and CVS at 47.17. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or CVS?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus CVS at 8.52%.
- Does COST or CVS pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and CVS yields 2.48% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or CVS more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus CVS at 0.72%.
- How have COST and CVS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and CVS delivered 4.62% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioCVS Health P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCVS Health dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROECVS Health ROECostco Wholesale operating marginCVS Health operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthCVS Health revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowCVS Health free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & CVS Health 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.