Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Target Corporation (TGT)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Target Corporation 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.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$904.77Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
TGT
Target Corporation
$155.83Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs TGT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +537.6% (+20.4%/yr)TGT +207.6% (+11.9%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST TGT
COST vs TGT: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($401.25B vs $70.78B market cap).
- •TGT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.16 vs 45.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •TGT converts more revenue to profit (4.08% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs -0.29% CAGR).
- •TGT pays the higher dividend yield (2.91% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.51 | 16.16 |
| Forward P/E | 39.92 | 15.46 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 0.66 |
| P/B ratio | 11.97 | 3.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.32 | 9.14 |
| FCF yield | 2.19% | 6.43% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 29.30% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 5.59% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 4.08% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 24.61% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 11.35% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 2.91% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 47.51% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | -0.29% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -1.34% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -6.17% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89% | -5.58% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or TGT?
- TGT has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 45.51 and TGT at 16.16. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or TGT?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus TGT at -0.29%.
- Does COST or TGT pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and TGT yields 2.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or TGT more profitable?
- TGT runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus TGT at 4.08%.
- How have COST and TGT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.56% and TGT delivered 11.93% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioTarget P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldTarget dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROETarget ROECostco Wholesale operating marginTarget operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthTarget revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowTarget free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Target 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.