Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Block, Inc. (SQ)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Block, 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; SQ is classified in Technology. 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
SQ
Block, Inc.
$88.67TechnologyAt close: Jan 24, 2025, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — COST vs SQ
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 9yCOST +538.9%SQ +578.4%SQ compounded faster
COST SQ
COST vs SQ: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $51.73B market cap).
- •COST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (47.87 vs 49.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COST is profitable (3.01% net margin) while SQ runs a net loss (-2.04%).
- •SQ grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.19% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •COST pays a dividend (0.56% yield), while SQ has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 49.81 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 2.35 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 2.82 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 2.00 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 38.29 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 1.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 44.85% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 4.93% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | -2.04% |
| ROE | 26.38% | -2.30% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | -12.82% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | SQ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 13.19% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 34.72% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 64.00% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 4.50% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or SQ?
- COST has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and SQ at 49.81. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or SQ?
- Over the past five years, SQ grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus SQ at 13.19%.
- Does COST or SQ pay a bigger dividend?
- COST pays a dividend (0.56% yield), while SQ has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is COST or SQ more profitable?
- COST runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus SQ at -2.04%.
- How have COST and SQ total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, COST delivered 20.06% and SQ delivered 4.50% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioBlock P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldBlock dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEBlock ROECostco Wholesale operating marginBlock operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthBlock revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowBlock free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Block 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.