Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Eli Lilly and Company 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; LLY 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
LLY
Eli Lilly and Company
$1,222.61HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs LLY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%LLY +8631.2%COST compounded faster
COST LLY
COST vs LLY: by the numbers
- •LLY is the larger company ($1.15T vs $428.66B market cap).
- •LLY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (42.54 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •LLY converts more revenue to profit (34.98% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •LLY grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.56% vs 0.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | LLY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 42.54 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 34.10 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 14.85 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 34.39 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.49 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 31.98 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 1.27% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | LLY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 83.51% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 45.87% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 34.98% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 81.01% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 30.20% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | LLY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.54% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 28.09% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | LLY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 23.17% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 28.88% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 19.54% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 38.81% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or LLY?
- LLY has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and LLY at 42.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or LLY?
- Over the past five years, LLY grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus LLY at 23.17%.
- Does COST or LLY pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and LLY yields 0.54% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or LLY more profitable?
- LLY runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus LLY at 34.98%.
- How have COST and LLY total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and LLY delivered 32.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioEli Lilly and P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldEli Lilly and dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEEli Lilly and ROECostco Wholesale operating marginEli Lilly and operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthEli Lilly and revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowEli Lilly and free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Eli Lilly and 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.