Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Verisk Analytics, 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; VRSK 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
VRSK
Verisk Analytics, Inc.
$212.26TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs VRSK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 17yCOST +1878.7%VRSK +698.7%COST compounded faster
COST VRSK
COST vs VRSK: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $27.81B market cap).
- •VRSK trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.46 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VRSK converts more revenue to profit (29.34% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 1.92% CAGR).
- •VRSK pays the higher dividend yield (0.92% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 31.46 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 26.96 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 9.01 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 92.99 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 3.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 18.83 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 4.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 67.44% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 44.87% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 29.34% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 293.95% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 19.56% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.92% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 29.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 1.92% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 8.25% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 4.58% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 2.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or VRSK?
- VRSK has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and VRSK at 31.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or VRSK?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus VRSK at 1.92%.
- Does COST or VRSK pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and VRSK yields 0.92% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or VRSK more profitable?
- VRSK runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus VRSK at 29.34%.
- How have COST and VRSK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and VRSK delivered 9.83% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioVerisk Analytics P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldVerisk Analytics dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEVerisk Analytics ROECostco Wholesale operating marginVerisk Analytics operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthVerisk Analytics revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowVerisk Analytics free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Verisk Analytics 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.