Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Meta Platforms, 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; META is classified in Communication 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
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$648.03Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs META
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +528.3% (+20.2%/yr)META +406.4% (+17.6%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST META
COST vs META: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.65T vs $401.25B market cap).
- •META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.42 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (29.84% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.85% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.61% vs 0.33%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 24.42 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 20.64 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 7.23 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 6.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 15.94 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 2.48% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 81.75% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 38.08% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 29.84% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 26.07% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 17.18% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 0.33% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 7.91% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | META |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 16.85% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 18.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 4.96% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 11.41% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or META?
- META has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and META at 24.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or META?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus META at 16.85%.
- Does COST or META pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and META yields 0.33% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or META more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus META at 29.84%.
- How have COST and META total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and META delivered 17.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioMeta Platforms P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldMeta Platforms dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEMeta Platforms ROECostco Wholesale operating marginMeta Platforms operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthMeta Platforms revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowMeta Platforms free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Meta Platforms appear in these rankings
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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.