Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Chevron Corporation (CVX)

A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Chevron 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.

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Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; CVX is classified in Energy. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnCOST vs CVX

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
COST +11175.1%CVX +1868.4%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$11,275$1,968
COST CVX

COST vs CVX: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $373.84B market cap).
  • CVX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.93 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CVX converts more revenue to profit (5.92% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • CVX grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.17% vs 9.48% CAGR).
  • CVX pays the higher dividend yield (3.67% vs 0.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCOSTCVX
P/E ratio47.8732.93
Forward P/E46.3313.10
P/S ratio1.442.03
P/B ratio12.622.05
PEG ratio5.231.20
EV / EBITDA29.8911.09
FCF yield2.08%3.54%

Profitability

MetricCOSTCVX
Gross margin12.88%25.43%
Operating margin3.82%8.40%
Net margin3.01%5.92%
ROE26.38%5.99%
ROIC19.44%3.59%

Dividends

MetricCOSTCVX
Dividend yield0.56%3.67%
Payout ratio29.44%104.96%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOSTCVX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.48%14.17%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.04%27.46%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.95%39.67%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.31%18.32%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or CVX?
CVX has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and CVX at 32.93. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, COST or CVX?
Over the past five years, CVX grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus CVX at 14.17%.
Does COST or CVX pay a bigger dividend?
COST yields 0.56% and CVX yields 3.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COST or CVX more profitable?
CVX runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus CVX at 5.92%.
How have COST and CVX total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and CVX delivered 11.00% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.