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

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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNKE vs ROST

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NKE -22.9% (-2.6%/yr)ROST +311.0% (+15.2%/yr)ROST compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $10020182020202220242026$77$411
NKE ROST

NKE vs ROST: by the numbers

  • ROST is the larger company ($72.40B vs $53.73B market cap).
  • NKE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.29 vs 27.33 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ROST converts more revenue to profit (10.85% vs 6.70% net margin).
  • ROST grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.18% vs 0.82% CAGR).
  • NKE pays the higher dividend yield (4.46% vs 0.74%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNKEROST
P/E ratio17.2927.33
Forward P/E21.1326.60
P/S ratio1.162.95
P/B ratio3.6110.74
EV / EBITDA12.4417.40
FCF yield4.06%3.85%

Profitability

MetricNKEROST
Gross margin42.91%29.89%
Operating margin8.19%13.75%
Net margin6.70%10.85%
ROE20.91%39.43%
ROIC10.87%22.56%

Dividends

MetricNKEROST
Dividend yield4.46%0.74%
Payout ratio78.10%20.58%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNKEROST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)0.82%7.18%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-10.42%94.40%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-18.20%13.59%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-24.42%16.65%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NKE or ROST?
NKE has the lower trailing P/E: NKE trades at 17.29 and ROST at 27.33. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NKE or ROST?
Over the past five years, ROST grew revenue faster — NKE at a 0.82% CAGR versus ROST at 7.18%.
Does NKE or ROST pay a bigger dividend?
NKE yields 4.46% and ROST yields 0.74% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NKE or ROST more profitable?
ROST runs the higher net margin — NKE at 6.70% versus ROST at 10.85%.
How have NKE and ROST total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NKE delivered -2.59% and ROST delivered 15.39% 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 13, 2026.