Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Pfizer Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; PFE is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PFE
Pfizer Inc.
$25.25HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs PFE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%PFE +543.3%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST PFE
COST vs PFE: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $143.91B market cap).
- •PFE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.83 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PFE converts more revenue to profit (11.83% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 8.22% CAGR).
- •PFE pays the higher dividend yield (6.97% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 18.83 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 8.38 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 2.23 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 1.57 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 9.72 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 6.71% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 69.35% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 23.45% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 11.83% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 8.31% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 8.84% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 6.97% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 126.47% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 8.22% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -3.78% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -3.79% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | -5.21% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or PFE?
- PFE has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and PFE at 18.83. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or PFE?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus PFE at 8.22%.
- Does COST or PFE pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and PFE yields 6.97% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or PFE more profitable?
- PFE runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus PFE at 11.83%.
- How have COST and PFE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and PFE delivered 1.55% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioPfizer P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldPfizer dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEPfizer ROECostco Wholesale operating marginPfizer operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthPfizer revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowPfizer free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Pfizer 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 28, 2026.