Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Morgan Stanley across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; MS is classified in Financial Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$974.03Consumer DefensiveAt close: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
MS
Morgan Stanley
$203.19Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs MS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11674.2%MS +3541.6%COST compounded faster
COST MS
COST vs MS: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($431.96B vs $320.49B market cap).
- •MS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.23 vs 49.00 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MS converts more revenue to profit (15.99% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.41% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 0.55%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 49.00 | 17.23 |
| Forward P/E | 47.42 | 16.45 |
| P/S ratio | 1.47 | 2.66 |
| P/B ratio | 12.92 | 2.95 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.60 |
| EV / EBITDA | 30.61 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.03% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 59.72% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 20.70% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 15.99% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 17.70% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 1.69% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 1.89% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 38.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 18.41% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 9.56% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.77% | 20.91% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or MS?
- MS has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 49.00 and MS at 17.23. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or MS?
- Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus MS at 18.41%.
- Does COST or MS pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.55% and MS yields 1.89% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or MS more profitable?
- MS runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus MS at 15.99%.
- How have COST and MS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.27% and MS delivered 25.44% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioMorgan Stanley P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldMorgan Stanley dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEMorgan Stanley ROECostco Wholesale operating marginMorgan Stanley operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthMorgan Stanley revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowMorgan Stanley free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Morgan Stanley 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 30, 2026.