Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Fair Isaac Corporation 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; FICO is classified in Technology. 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
FICO
Fair Isaac Corporation
$985.39TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs FICO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +544.2% (+20.5%/yr)FICO +642.4% (+22.2%/yr)FICO compounded faster over this window
COST FICO
COST vs FICO: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $21.28B market cap).
- •FICO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (28.46 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FICO converts more revenue to profit (34.05% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •FICO grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.03% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while FICO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | FICO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 28.46 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 22.95 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 8.89 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 21.26 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 4.68% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | FICO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 85.10% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 51.65% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 34.05% |
| ROE | 26.38% | N/A |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 59.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | FICO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | FICO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 12.03% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 27.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 16.63% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 16.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or FICO?
- FICO has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and FICO at 28.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or FICO?
- Over the past five years, FICO grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus FICO at 12.03%.
- Does COST or FICO pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while FICO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is COST or FICO more profitable?
- FICO runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus FICO at 34.05%.
- How have COST and FICO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and FICO delivered 22.28% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioFair Isaac P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEFair Isaac ROECostco Wholesale operating marginFair Isaac operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthFair Isaac revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowFair Isaac free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Fair Isaac 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.