Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Elevance Health Inc. (ELV)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Elevance Health 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; ELV 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
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
$385.73HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs ELV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 25yCOST +3054.5%ELV +2205.3%COST compounded faster
COST ELV
COST vs ELV: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $83.65B market cap).
- •ELV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.82 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COST converts more revenue to profit (3.01% vs 2.47% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 9.25% CAGR).
- •ELV pays the higher dividend yield (1.81% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 16.82 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 13.95 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 0.41 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 1.84 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 2.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 12.78 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 7.63% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 25.56% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 3.51% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 2.47% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 11.06% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 6.65% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 1.81% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 27.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 9.25% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 6.67% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -19.97% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 1.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or ELV?
- ELV has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and ELV at 16.82. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or ELV?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus ELV at 9.25%.
- Does COST or ELV pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and ELV yields 1.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or ELV more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus ELV at 2.47%.
- How have COST and ELV total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and ELV delivered 12.46% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioElevance Health P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldElevance Health dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEElevance Health ROECostco Wholesale operating marginElevance Health operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthElevance Health revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowElevance Health free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Elevance 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.