Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Seagate Technology Holdings plc 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; STX 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
STX
Seagate Technology Holdings plc
$830.17TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs STX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +537.6% (+20.4%/yr)STX +3613.4% (+43.5%/yr)STX compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST STX
COST vs STX: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $186.15B market cap).
- •COST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (45.51 vs 59.72 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •STX converts more revenue to profit (26.11% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 2.68% CAGR).
- •COST pays the higher dividend yield (0.61% vs 0.33%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | STX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 59.72 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 23.07 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 15.26 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 85.90 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 43.09 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 1.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 45.58% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 33.57% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 26.11% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 146.93% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 51.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 0.33% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 21.15% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | STX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 2.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 21.76% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 24.10% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | 63.76% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or STX?
- COST has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and STX at 59.72. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or STX?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus STX at 2.68%.
- Does COST or STX pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and STX yields 0.33% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or STX more profitable?
- STX runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus STX at 26.11%.
- How have COST and STX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and STX delivered 43.57% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioSeagate Technology P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldSeagate Technology dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROESeagate Technology ROECostco Wholesale operating marginSeagate Technology operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthSeagate Technology revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowSeagate Technology free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Seagate Technology 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.