Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Ford Motor Company (F)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Ford Motor Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; F is classified in Consumer Cyclical. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$904.77Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
F
Ford Motor Company
$13.97Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs F
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +544.2% (+20.5%/yr)F +84.5% (+6.3%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST F
COST vs F: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $55.71B market cap).
- •COST is profitable (3.01% net margin) while F runs a net loss (-3.93%).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 6.62% CAGR).
- •F pays the higher dividend yield (4.32% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | F |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | N/A |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 7.55 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 0.30 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 1.56 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 19.66 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 13.07% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | F |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 10.77% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 1.97% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | -3.93% |
| ROE | 26.38% | -20.71% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 1.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | F |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 4.32% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | F |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 6.62% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -13.70% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 8.29% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, COST or F?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus F at 6.62%.
- Does COST or F pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and F yields 4.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or F more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus F at -3.93%.
- How have COST and F total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and F delivered 6.61% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldFord Motor dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEFord Motor ROECostco Wholesale operating marginFord Motor operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthFord Motor revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowFord Motor free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Ford Motor 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 11, 2026.