Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs RTX Corporation (RTX)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and RTX Corporation 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; RTX is classified in Industrials. 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
RTX
RTX Corporation
$218.58IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs RTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%RTX +5016.1%COST compounded faster
COST RTX
COST vs RTX: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $294.59B market cap).
- •RTX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (38.45 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •RTX converts more revenue to profit (8.28% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 8.46% CAGR).
- •RTX pays the higher dividend yield (1.27% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 38.45 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 30.50 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 3.19 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 4.49 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 21.72 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 4.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 20.35% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 11.21% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 8.28% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 11.66% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 6.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 1.27% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 55.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 8.46% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 31.43% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 22.55% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or RTX?
- RTX has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and RTX at 38.45. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or RTX?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus RTX at 8.46%.
- Does COST or RTX pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and RTX yields 1.27% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or RTX more profitable?
- RTX runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus RTX at 8.28%.
- How have COST and RTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and RTX delivered 15.85% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioRTX P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldRTX dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROERTX ROECostco Wholesale operating marginRTX operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthRTX revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowRTX free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & RTX 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.