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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — COST vs PM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
COST +530.0% (+20.2%/yr)PM +218.6% (+12.3%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$630$319
COST PM

COST vs PM: by the numbers

  • •COST is the larger company ($409.23B vs $296.88B market cap).
  • •PM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.37 vs 46.42 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 (3.08% vs 0.61%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCOSTPM
P/E ratio46.4227.37
Forward P/E40.7122.75
P/S ratio1.396.98
P/B ratio12.21N/A
EV / EBITDA28.9018.78
FCF yield2.15%4.29%

Profitability

MetricCOSTPM
Gross margin12.88%67.51%
Operating margin3.82%37.75%
Net margin3.01%25.56%
ROE26.38%N/A
ROIC19.01%26.30%

Dividends

MetricCOSTPM
Dividend yield0.61%3.08%
Payout ratio27.87%84.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOSTPM
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)14.94%18.46%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or PM?
PM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 46.42 and PM at 27.37. 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 0.61% and PM yields 3.08% 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 20.59% and PM delivered 12.40% 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 September 13, 2026.