Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Verizon Communications Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; VZ is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$912.78Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
VZ
Verizon Communications Inc.
$50.40Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
Total return — COST vs VZ
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +554.2% (+20.7%/yr)VZ +64.4% (+5.1%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST VZ
COST vs VZ: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($404.80B vs $210.43B market cap).
- •VZ trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (13.06 vs 46.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VZ converts more revenue to profit (11.64% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 0.89% CAGR).
- •VZ pays the higher dividend yield (5.57% vs 0.60%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 46.06 | 13.06 |
| Forward P/E | 44.63 | 10.04 |
| P/S ratio | 1.39 | 1.51 |
| P/B ratio | 12.15 | 2.01 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.74 | 8.32 |
| FCF yield | 2.16% | 10.25% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 45.64% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 20.54% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 11.64% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 15.56% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 5.84% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.60% | 5.57% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 72.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 0.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | -1.14% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | -1.27% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.35% | 4.43% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or VZ?
- VZ has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 46.06 and VZ at 13.06. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or VZ?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus VZ at 0.89%.
- Does COST or VZ pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.60% and VZ yields 5.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or VZ more profitable?
- VZ runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus VZ at 11.64%.
- How have COST and VZ total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.16% and VZ delivered 4.99% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioVerizon Communications P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldVerizon Communications dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEVerizon Communications ROECostco Wholesale operating marginVerizon Communications operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthVerizon Communications revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowVerizon Communications free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Verizon Communications 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 8, 2026.