Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) vs Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

ROST leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Ross Stores, Inc. and Starbucks Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ROST vs SBUX

growth of $100 · last 30y
ROST +20964.0%SBUX +6221.5%ROST compounded faster
05k10k15k20kStart $100200120062011201620212026$21,064$6,321
ROST SBUX

ROST vs SBUX: by the numbers

  • SBUX is the larger company ($117.43B vs $77.03B market cap).
  • ROST trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.54 vs 78.06 P/E).
  • ROST converts more revenue to profit (9.74% vs 3.89% net margin).
  • SBUX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.03% vs 9.35% CAGR).
  • SBUX pays the higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 0.71%).

Which is better, ROST or SBUX?

Metric tally: ROST 11 · SBUX 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueROST(lower P/E)
GrowthSBUX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSBUX(higher dividend yield)
QualityROST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricROSTSBUX
P/E ratio33.5478.06
Forward P/E30.6833.68
P/S ratio3.243.06
P/B ratio12.24
PEG ratio5.96
EV / EBITDA20.3126.21
FCF yield3.41%2.31%

Profitability

MetricROSTSBUX
Gross margin28.33%20.36%
Operating margin12.22%9.28%
Net margin9.74%3.89%
ROE36.73%-22.93%
ROIC17.10%8.48%

Dividends

MetricROSTSBUX
Dividend yield0.71%2.40%
Payout ratio25.53%151.53%

Growth (annualized)

MetricROSTSBUX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.35%10.03%
EPS CAGR (5Y)94.40%-9.42%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-6.35%2.00%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.14%0.57%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ROST or SBUX?
It depends on your goal. value: ROST (lower P/E); growth: SBUX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SBUX (higher dividend yield); quality: ROST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ROST leads 11 to 4.
Is ROST or SBUX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ROST is cheaper: ROST trades at a 33.54 P/E and SBUX at 78.06.
Which has grown faster, ROST or SBUX?
Over the past five years, SBUX grew revenue faster — ROST at a 9.35% CAGR versus SBUX at 10.03%.
Does ROST or SBUX pay a bigger dividend?
ROST yields 0.71% and SBUX yields 2.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ROST or SBUX more profitable?
ROST runs the higher net margin — ROST at 9.74% versus SBUX at 3.89%.
Which has been the better investment, ROST or SBUX?
Over the past 10-year, ROST delivered the higher annualized total return — ROST at 17.31% versus SBUX at 8.80%. 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 14, 2026.