Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (LVMUY)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 27, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; LVMUY is classified in Consumer Cyclical. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$934.66Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
LVMUY
LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne
$104.18Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs LVMUY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +518.3% (+20.0%/yr)LVMUY +270.2% (+14.0%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST LVMUY
COST vs LVMUY: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($414.50B vs $256.86B market cap).
- •LVMUY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.42 vs 48.09 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •LVMUY converts more revenue to profit (13.46% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •LVMUY grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.82% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •LVMUY pays the higher dividend yield (2.91% vs 0.58%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | LVMUY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 48.09 | 10.42 |
| Forward P/E | 46.57 | 23.89 |
| P/S ratio | 1.45 | 2.84 |
| P/B ratio | 12.68 | 3.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 30.04 | 10.60 |
| FCF yield | 2.07% | 6.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | LVMUY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 66.24% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 21.88% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 13.46% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 15.49% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 9.55% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | LVMUY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 2.91% |
| Payout ratio | 30.37% | 61.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | LVMUY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 10.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 16.65% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 10.50% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.03% | -4.83% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or LVMUY?
- LVMUY has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 48.09 and LVMUY at 10.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or LVMUY?
- Over the past five years, LVMUY grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus LVMUY at 10.82%.
- Does COST or LVMUY pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.58% and LVMUY yields 2.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or LVMUY more profitable?
- LVMUY runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus LVMUY at 13.46%.
- How have COST and LVMUY total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.25% and LVMUY delivered 13.58% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioLVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldLVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROELVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne ROECostco Wholesale operating marginLVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthLVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowLVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne 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 August 27, 2026.