Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) vs Walmart Inc. (WMT)

A side-by-side comparison of Meta Platforms, Inc. and Walmart Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

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Different business models: META is classified in Communication Services; WMT is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnMETA vs WMT

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
META +418.8% (+17.9%/yr)WMT +420.6% (+17.9%/yr)WMT compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$519$521
META WMT

META vs WMT: by the numbers

  • META is the larger company ($1.65T vs $852.71B market cap).
  • META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.42 vs 38.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • META converts more revenue to profit (29.84% vs 3.00% net margin).
  • META grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.85% vs 5.38% CAGR).
  • WMT pays the higher dividend yield (0.92% vs 0.33%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMETAWMT
P/E ratio24.4238.68
Forward P/E20.6437.07
P/S ratio7.231.16
P/B ratio6.328.68
EV / EBITDA15.9419.31
FCF yield2.48%1.58%

Profitability

MetricMETAWMT
Gross margin81.75%25.23%
Operating margin38.08%4.39%
Net margin29.84%3.00%
ROE26.07%22.47%
ROIC17.18%12.89%

Dividends

MetricMETAWMT
Dividend yield0.33%0.92%
Payout ratio7.91%35.29%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMETAWMT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.85%5.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)18.60%10.95%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.96%-5.40%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.41%18.21%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, META or WMT?
META has the lower trailing P/E: META trades at 24.42 and WMT at 38.68. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, META or WMT?
Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — META at a 16.85% CAGR versus WMT at 5.38%.
Does META or WMT pay a bigger dividend?
META yields 0.33% and WMT yields 0.92% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is META or WMT more profitable?
META runs the higher net margin — META at 29.84% versus WMT at 3.00%.
How have META and WMT total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, META delivered 17.72% and WMT delivered 18.23% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 10, 2026.