Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Mastercard Incorporated 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; MA is classified in Financial 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
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$569.19Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs MA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +528.3% (+20.2%/yr)MA +498.8% (+19.6%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST MA
COST vs MA: by the numbers
- •MA is the larger company ($499.20B vs $401.25B market cap).
- •MA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.31 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MA converts more revenue to profit (46.34% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.09% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.61% vs 0.60%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | MA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 31.31 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 28.52 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 14.23 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 88.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 100.00% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 59.84% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 46.34% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 289.73% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | N/A |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 0.60% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 18.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 16.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 20.93% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 10.88% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or MA?
- MA has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and MA at 31.31. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or MA?
- Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus MA at 16.09%.
- Does COST or MA pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and MA yields 0.60% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or MA more profitable?
- MA runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus MA at 46.34%.
- How have COST and MA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and MA delivered 19.83% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioMastercard P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldMastercard dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEMastercard ROECostco Wholesale operating marginMastercard operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthMastercard revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Mastercard 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 September 11, 2026.