Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 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; GS is classified in Financial Services. 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
GS
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
$1,033.34Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs GS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 27yCOST +2560.4%GS +2127.6%COST compounded faster
COST GS
COST vs GS: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $304.84B market cap).
- •GS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.18 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •GS converts more revenue to profit (17.78% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •GS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.76% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •GS pays the higher dividend yield (1.62% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 16.18 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 15.11 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 2.71 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 2.60 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.65 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 47.48% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 24.81% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 17.78% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 17.05% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 1.92% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 1.62% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 32.72% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | GS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 13.76% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 15.75% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 25.27% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or GS?
- GS has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and GS at 16.18. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or GS?
- Over the past five years, GS grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus GS at 13.76%.
- Does COST or GS pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and GS yields 1.62% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or GS more profitable?
- GS runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus GS at 17.78%.
- How have COST and GS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and GS delivered 22.84% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioGoldman Sachs P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldGoldman Sachs dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEGoldman Sachs ROECostco Wholesale operating marginGoldman Sachs operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthGoldman Sachs revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowGoldman Sachs free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Goldman Sachs 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.