Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Humana Inc. (HUM)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Humana 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; HUM is classified in Healthcare. 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
HUM
Humana Inc.
$388.71HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs HUM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%HUM +2547.6%COST compounded faster
COST HUM
COST vs HUM: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $46.67B market cap).
- •HUM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (40.76 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COST converts more revenue to profit (3.01% vs 0.82% net margin).
- •HUM grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •HUM pays the higher dividend yield (0.70% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 40.76 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 42.42 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 0.34 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 2.48 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 25.16 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 2.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 14.01% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 1.01% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 0.82% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 6.08% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 3.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.70% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 26.90% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 11.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -17.27% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -17.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | -1.91% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or HUM?
- HUM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and HUM at 40.76. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or HUM?
- Over the past five years, HUM grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus HUM at 11.71%.
- Does COST or HUM pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and HUM yields 0.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or HUM more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus HUM at 0.82%.
- How have COST and HUM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and HUM delivered 9.18% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioHumana P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldHumana dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEHumana ROECostco Wholesale operating marginHumana operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthHumana revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowHumana free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Humana 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.