NIKE, Inc. (NKE) vs Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)

ROST leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though NKE is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of NIKE, Inc. and Ross Stores, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — NKE vs ROST

growth of $100 · last 30y
NKE +580.8%ROST +21533.3%ROST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$681$21,633
NKE ROST

NKE vs ROST: by the numbers

  • ROST is the larger company ($77.03B vs $66.42B market cap).
  • NKE trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.56 vs 33.54 P/E).
  • ROST converts more revenue to profit (9.74% vs 4.84% net margin).
  • ROST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.35% vs 3.86% CAGR).
  • NKE pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 0.71%).

Which is better, NKE or ROST?

Metric tally: NKE 8 · ROST 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNKE(lower P/E)
GrowthROST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNKE(higher dividend yield)
QualityROST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricNKEROST
P/E ratio29.5633.54
Forward P/E24.7530.68
P/S ratio1.433.24
P/B ratio4.7212.24
PEG ratio5.025.96
EV / EBITDA20.3120.90
FCF yield1.58%3.41%

Profitability

MetricNKEROST
Gross margin40.81%28.33%
Operating margin6.03%12.22%
Net margin4.84%9.74%
ROE15.97%36.73%
ROIC11.57%17.10%

Dividends

MetricNKEROST
Dividend yield3.63%0.71%
Payout ratio75.12%25.53%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNKEROST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.86%9.35%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.89%94.40%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-22.85%-6.35%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-18.03%16.14%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NKE or ROST?
It depends on your goal. value: NKE (lower P/E); growth: ROST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NKE (higher dividend yield); quality: ROST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ROST leads 9 to 8.
Is NKE or ROST cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NKE is cheaper: NKE trades at a 29.56 P/E and ROST at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, NKE or ROST?
Over the past five years, ROST grew revenue faster — NKE at a 3.86% CAGR versus ROST at 9.35%.
Does NKE or ROST pay a bigger dividend?
NKE yields 3.63% and ROST yields 0.71% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NKE or ROST more profitable?
ROST runs the higher net margin — NKE at 4.84% versus ROST at 9.74%.
Which has been the better investment, NKE or ROST?
Over the past 10-year, ROST delivered the higher annualized total return — NKE at -0.67% versus ROST at 17.31%. 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 June 13, 2026.