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 30yNKE +580.8%ROST +21533.3%ROST compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNKE(lower P/E)
GrowthROST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNKE(higher dividend yield)
QualityROST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | NKE | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.56● | 33.54 |
| Forward P/E | 24.75● | 30.68 |
| P/S ratio | 1.43● | 3.24 |
| P/B ratio | 4.72● | 12.24 |
| PEG ratio | 5.02● | 5.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.31● | 20.90 |
| FCF yield | 1.58% | 3.41%● |
Profitability
| Metric | NKE | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.81%● | 28.33% |
| Operating margin | 6.03% | 12.22%● |
| Net margin | 4.84% | 9.74%● |
| ROE | 15.97% | 36.73%● |
| ROIC | 11.57% | 17.10%● |
Dividends
| Metric | NKE | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.63%● | 0.71% |
| Payout ratio | 75.12% | 25.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NKE | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
NIKE P/E ratioRoss Stores P/E ratioNIKE dividend yieldRoss Stores dividend yieldNIKE ROERoss Stores ROENIKE operating marginRoss Stores operating marginNIKE revenue growthRoss Stores revenue growthNIKE free cash flowRoss Stores free cash flow
NIKE & Ross Stores 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 June 13, 2026.