Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Wells Fargo & Company 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; WFC is classified in Financial Services. 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
WFC
Wells Fargo & Company
$86.87Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs WFC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%WFC +2153.6%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST WFC
COST vs WFC: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $265.84B market cap).
- •WFC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.59 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WFC converts more revenue to profit (17.54% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •WFC grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.78% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •WFC pays the higher dividend yield (2.06% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 12.59 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 12.02 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 2.08 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 1.49 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 0.82 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 64.50% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 21.17% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 17.54% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 12.57% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 3.16% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 2.06% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 28.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 9.78% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 72.38% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 16.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or WFC?
- WFC has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and WFC at 12.59. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or WFC?
- Over the past five years, WFC grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus WFC at 9.78%.
- Does COST or WFC pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and WFC yields 2.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or WFC more profitable?
- WFC runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus WFC at 17.54%.
- How have COST and WFC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and WFC delivered 9.12% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioWells Fargo & P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldWells Fargo & dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEWells Fargo & ROECostco Wholesale operating marginWells Fargo & operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthWells Fargo & revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowWells Fargo & free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Wells Fargo & 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.