Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs GE Aerospace (GE)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and GE Aerospace 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; GE is classified in Industrials. 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
GE
GE Aerospace
$363.59IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs GE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%GE +980.5%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST GE
COST vs GE: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $377.25B market cap).
- •GE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (42.69 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •GE converts more revenue to profit (17.70% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs -7.73% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.56% vs 0.46%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | GE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 42.69 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 45.89 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 7.48 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 21.50 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 1.08 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 33.96 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 0.95% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 35.44% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 20.79% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 17.70% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 50.86% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 8.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.46% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 20.34% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | -7.73% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 11.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 24.74% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 41.40% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or GE?
- GE has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and GE at 42.69. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or GE?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus GE at -7.73%.
- Does COST or GE pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and GE yields 0.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or GE more profitable?
- GE runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus GE at 17.70%.
- How have COST and GE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and GE delivered 10.42% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioGE Aerospace P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldGE Aerospace dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEGE Aerospace ROECostco Wholesale operating marginGE Aerospace operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthGE Aerospace revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowGE Aerospace free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & GE Aerospace 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.