Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Palantir Technologies 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; PLTR is classified in Technology. 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
PLTR
Palantir Technologies Inc.
$123.53TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs PLTR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 6yCOST +183.0%PLTR +1284.5%PLTR compounded faster
COST PLTR
COST vs PLTR: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $283.63B market cap).
- •COST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (47.87 vs 146.14 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PLTR converts more revenue to profit (43.67% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •PLTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (34.11% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.56% yield), while PLTR has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 146.14 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 90.26 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 64.73 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 40.02 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 1.13 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 166.52 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 0.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 84.07% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 38.13% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 43.67% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 27.00% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 17.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 34.11% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 94.15% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 40.57% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or PLTR?
- COST has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and PLTR at 146.14. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or PLTR?
- Over the past five years, PLTR grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus PLTR at 34.11%.
- Does COST or PLTR pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.56% yield), while PLTR has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is COST or PLTR more profitable?
- PLTR runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus PLTR at 43.67%.
- How have COST and PLTR total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, COST delivered 20.06% and PLTR delivered 40.57% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioPalantir Technologies P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldPalantir Technologies dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEPalantir Technologies ROECostco Wholesale operating marginPalantir Technologies operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthPalantir Technologies revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowPalantir Technologies free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Palantir Technologies 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.