Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and The Walt Disney Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; DIS is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$893.93Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 17, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
DIS
The Walt Disney Company
$105.33Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 17, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs DIS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +546.0% (+20.5%/yr)DIS +24.9% (+2.2%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST DIS
COST vs DIS: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($396.44B vs $182.91B market cap).
- •DIS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.72 vs 44.97 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •DIS converts more revenue to profit (8.70% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •DIS grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.60% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •DIS pays the higher dividend yield (1.41% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | DIS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.97 | 21.72 |
| Forward P/E | 39.44 | 15.24 |
| P/S ratio | 1.35 | 1.85 |
| P/B ratio | 11.83 | 1.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.97 | 10.48 |
| FCF yield | 2.22% | 4.53% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | DIS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 37.60% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 16.00% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 8.70% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 7.82% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 6.43% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | DIS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 1.41% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 30.93% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | DIS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 10.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 0.49% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 41.84% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.94% | -9.80% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or DIS?
- DIS has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 44.97 and DIS at 21.72. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or DIS?
- Over the past five years, DIS grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus DIS at 10.60%.
- Does COST or DIS pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and DIS yields 1.41% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or DIS more profitable?
- DIS runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus DIS at 8.70%.
- How have COST and DIS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.59% and DIS delivered 2.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioWalt Disney P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldWalt Disney dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEWalt Disney ROECostco Wholesale operating marginWalt Disney operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthWalt Disney revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowWalt Disney free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Walt Disney 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 September 13, 2026.