Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs General Motors Company (GM)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and General Motors 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; GM 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
GM
General Motors Company
$85.62Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs GM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +528.3% (+20.2%/yr)GM +238.2% (+13.0%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST GM
COST vs GM: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $77.44B market cap).
- •GM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (43.24 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COST converts more revenue to profit (3.01% vs 1.03% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 5.85% CAGR).
- •GM pays the higher dividend yield (0.77% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | GM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 43.24 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 0.42 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 1.25 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 14.13 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 21.31% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | GM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 5.74% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 0.98% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 1.03% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 3.10% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 0.81% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | GM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 0.77% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 33.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | GM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 5.85% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -5.25% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 12.67% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or GM?
- GM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and GM at 43.24. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or GM?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus GM at 5.85%.
- Does COST or GM pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and GM yields 0.77% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or GM more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus GM at 1.03%.
- How have COST and GM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and GM delivered 13.04% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioGeneral Motors P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldGeneral Motors dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEGeneral Motors ROECostco Wholesale operating marginGeneral Motors operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthGeneral Motors revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowGeneral Motors free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & General Motors 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.