Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and PayPal Holdings, 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; PYPL is classified in Financial Services. 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
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$58.32Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs PYPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 11yCOST +665.9%PYPL +53.9%COST compounded faster
COST PYPL
COST vs PYPL: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $51.44B market cap).
- •PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.52 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PYPL converts more revenue to profit (14.36% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 7.43% CAGR).
- •PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (0.75% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 10.52 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 10.56 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 1.53 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 2.58 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 45.75% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 18.78% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 14.36% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 24.73% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 14.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 7.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 7.43% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 8.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | -27.93% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or PYPL?
- PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and PYPL at 10.52. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or PYPL?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
- Does COST or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and PYPL yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or PYPL more profitable?
- PYPL runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
- How have COST and PYPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and PYPL delivered 4.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioPayPal P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldPayPal dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEPayPal ROECostco Wholesale operating marginPayPal operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthPayPal revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowPayPal free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & PayPal 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.