Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; QCOM is classified in Technology. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$904.77Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$181.97TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs QCOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +537.6% (+20.4%/yr)QCOM +266.6% (+13.9%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST QCOM
COST vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $191.07B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.77 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (21.01% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 6.23% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (2.05% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 20.77 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 17.26 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 4.34 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 6.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 17.11 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 5.45% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 54.23% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 23.19% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 21.01% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 33.48% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 17.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 2.05% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 41.32% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 6.23% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 2.02% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 2.09% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 6.80% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or QCOM?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and QCOM at 20.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus QCOM at 6.23%.
- Does COST or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and QCOM yields 2.05% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus QCOM at 21.01%.
- How have COST and QCOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and QCOM delivered 14.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEQUALCOMM ROECostco Wholesale operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & QUALCOMM 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 September 11, 2026.