Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ)

A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Constellation Brands, Inc. 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.

Compare

Total returnCOST vs STZ

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
COST +537.6% (+20.4%/yr)STZ -13.2% (-1.4%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $10020182020202220242026$638$87
COST STZ

COST vs STZ: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $20.91B market cap).
  • STZ trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.68 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • STZ converts more revenue to profit (20.14% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 0.86% CAGR).
  • STZ pays the higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 0.61%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCOSTSTZ
P/E ratio45.5111.68
Forward P/E39.9210.38
P/S ratio1.372.31
P/B ratio11.972.53
EV / EBITDA28.329.44
FCF yield2.19%8.77%

Profitability

MetricCOSTSTZ
Gross margin12.88%52.62%
Operating margin3.82%32.14%
Net margin3.01%20.14%
ROE26.38%22.10%
ROIC19.01%10.85%

Dividends

MetricCOSTSTZ
Dividend yield0.61%3.37%
Payout ratio27.87%39.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOSTSTZ
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.48%0.86%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.04%-1.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.95%-1.73%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.89%-9.18%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or STZ?
STZ has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and STZ at 11.68. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, COST or STZ?
Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus STZ at 0.86%.
Does COST or STZ pay a bigger dividend?
COST yields 0.61% and STZ yields 3.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COST or STZ more profitable?
STZ runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus STZ at 20.14%.
How have COST and STZ total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and STZ delivered -1.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.