Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Philip Morris International Inc. (PM)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Philip Morris International Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 12, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$944.32Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PM
Philip Morris International Inc.
$186.22Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs PM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +513.5% (+19.9%/yr)PM +207.5% (+11.9%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST PM
COST vs PM: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($418.79B vs $290.24B market cap).
- •PM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.72 vs 47.50 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PM converts more revenue to profit (25.56% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 7.19% CAGR).
- •PM pays the higher dividend yield (3.16% vs 0.72%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | PM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.50 | 26.72 |
| Forward P/E | 45.97 | 22.23 |
| P/S ratio | 1.43 | 6.83 |
| P/B ratio | 12.52 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.66 | 18.43 |
| FCF yield | 2.10% | 4.38% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 67.51% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 37.75% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 25.56% |
| ROE | 26.38% | -113.55% |
| ROIC | 19.13% | 25.56% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.72% | 3.16% |
| Payout ratio | 37.50% | 80.88% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 7.19% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 7.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 4.43% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.00% | 18.68% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or PM?
- PM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.50 and PM at 26.72. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or PM?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus PM at 7.19%.
- Does COST or PM pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.72% and PM yields 3.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or PM more profitable?
- PM runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus PM at 25.56%.
- How have COST and PM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 19.82% and PM delivered 11.92% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioPhilip Morris International P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldPhilip Morris International dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEPhilip Morris International ROECostco Wholesale operating marginPhilip Morris International operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthPhilip Morris International revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowPhilip Morris International free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Philip Morris International 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 August 12, 2026.