Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Alphabet Inc. 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; GOOGL is classified in Communication Services. 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
GOOGL
Alphabet Inc.
$338.50Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs GOOGL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +544.2% (+20.5%/yr)GOOGL +744.3% (+23.8%/yr)GOOGL compounded faster over this window
COST GOOGL
COST vs GOOGL: by the numbers
- •GOOGL is the larger company ($4.10T vs $401.25B market cap).
- •GOOGL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.00 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •GOOGL converts more revenue to profit (54.77% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •GOOGL grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.15% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.61% vs 0.26%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 17.00 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 16.46 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 9.19 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 6.40 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 24.03 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 1.30% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 60.90% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 33.11% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 54.77% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 38.13% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 15.14% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 0.26% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 4.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 15.15% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 29.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 11.33% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 18.97% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or GOOGL?
- GOOGL has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and GOOGL at 17.00. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or GOOGL?
- Over the past five years, GOOGL grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus GOOGL at 15.15%.
- Does COST or GOOGL pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and GOOGL yields 0.26% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or GOOGL more profitable?
- GOOGL runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus GOOGL at 54.77%.
- How have COST and GOOGL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and GOOGL delivered 23.89% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioAlphabet P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldAlphabet dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEAlphabet ROECostco Wholesale operating marginAlphabet operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthAlphabet revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowAlphabet free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Alphabet appear in these rankings
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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.