Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Medpace Holdings, Inc. 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; MEDP is classified in Healthcare. 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
MEDP
Medpace Holdings, Inc.
$587.52HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs MEDP
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +528.3% (+20.2%/yr)MEDP +1860.2% (+34.7%/yr)MEDP compounded faster over this window
COST MEDP
COST vs MEDP: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $16.40B market cap).
- •MEDP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (34.42 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MEDP converts more revenue to profit (17.67% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •MEDP grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.03% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while MEDP has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | MEDP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 34.42 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 33.38 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 5.89 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 37.80 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 26.20 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 4.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | MEDP |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 28.76% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 20.97% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 17.67% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 113.29% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 77.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | MEDP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | MEDP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 22.03% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 30.90% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 23.40% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 24.92% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or MEDP?
- MEDP has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and MEDP at 34.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or MEDP?
- Over the past five years, MEDP grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus MEDP at 22.03%.
- Does COST or MEDP pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.61% yield), while MEDP has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is COST or MEDP more profitable?
- MEDP runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus MEDP at 17.67%.
- How have COST and MEDP total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and MEDP delivered 34.74% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioMedpace P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEMedpace ROECostco Wholesale operating marginMedpace operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthMedpace revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowMedpace free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Medpace 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.