Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Exxon Mobil Corporation 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; XOM is classified in Energy. 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
XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation
$153.20EnergyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs XOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%XOM +1731.6%COST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COST XOM
COST vs XOM: by the numbers
- •XOM is the larger company ($635.01B vs $428.66B market cap).
- •XOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.10 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •XOM converts more revenue to profit (7.76% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •XOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.49% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •XOM pays the higher dividend yield (2.64% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 26.10 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 13.93 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 1.99 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 2.55 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 2.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 12.17 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 2.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 25.49% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 9.01% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 7.76% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 9.95% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 6.34% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 2.64% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 61.26% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | XOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 12.49% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 12.08% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 36.20% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 26.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or XOM?
- XOM has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and XOM at 26.10. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or XOM?
- Over the past five years, XOM grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus XOM at 12.49%.
- Does COST or XOM pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and XOM yields 2.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or XOM more profitable?
- XOM runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus XOM at 7.76%.
- How have COST and XOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and XOM delivered 10.15% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioExxon Mobil P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldExxon Mobil dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEExxon Mobil ROECostco Wholesale operating marginExxon Mobil operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthExxon Mobil revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowExxon Mobil free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Exxon Mobil 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.