Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Nestlé S.A. (NSRGY)

A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Nestlé S.A. 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.

Compare

Total returnCOST vs NSRGY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
COST +555.5% (+20.7%/yr)NSRGY +66.6% (+5.2%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$656$167
COST NSRGY

COST vs NSRGY: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($414.50B vs $249.99B market cap).
  • NSRGY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.67 vs 48.09 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NSRGY converts more revenue to profit (10.09% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 2.50% CAGR).
  • NSRGY pays the higher dividend yield (4.06% vs 0.58%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCOSTNSRGY
P/E ratio48.0911.67
Forward P/E46.5722.32
P/S ratio1.452.32
P/B ratio12.686.94
EV / EBITDA30.0414.98
FCF yield2.07%5.48%

Profitability

MetricCOSTNSRGY
Gross margin12.88%45.59%
Operating margin3.82%15.94%
Net margin3.01%10.09%
ROE26.38%26.26%
ROIC19.01%10.80%

Dividends

MetricCOSTNSRGY
Dividend yield0.58%4.06%
Payout ratio30.37%93.03%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOSTNSRGY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.48%2.50%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.04%-2.69%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.95%3.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.03%-2.35%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or NSRGY?
NSRGY has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 48.09 and NSRGY at 11.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, COST or NSRGY?
Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus NSRGY at 2.50%.
Does COST or NSRGY pay a bigger dividend?
COST yields 0.58% and NSRGY yields 4.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COST or NSRGY more profitable?
NSRGY runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus NSRGY at 10.09%.
How have COST and NSRGY total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.25% and NSRGY delivered 5.04% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.