Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 19.44%
Is Costco Wholesale Corporation’s return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
Costco Wholesale Corporation's return on invested capital (ROIC) of 19.44% is in line with its 4-year average of 18.24%, near the high end of its 4-year range (16.48%–20.37%).
As of Sunday, June 14, 2026. 2.34% below its 12-month average of 19.91%.
COST Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
COST Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
COST Current vs Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
COST Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
19.44%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG TTM
19.91%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 3Y
18.76%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 5Y
18.24%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 10Y
16.03%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 15Y
14.46%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 20Y
13.35%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-2.34%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
+3.61%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
+6.60%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
+21.26%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
+34.40%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
+45.62%
COST Competitors' Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) | $435.65B | 19.44% | 19.91% | 18.76% | 18.24% |
| The Coca-Cola Company (KO)vs › | $355.47B | 13.00% | 11.73% | 11.68% | 11.07% |
| The Procter & Gamble Company (PG)vs › | $348.38B | 16.47% | 15.93% | 15.71% | 15.22% |
| PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP)vs › | $197.21B | 13.29% | 13.51% | 13.40% | 12.79% |
| Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD)vs › | $160.41B | 6.32% | 6.27% | 6.16% | 5.06% |
| Altria Group, Inc. (MO)vs › | $120.13B | 42.95% | 38.08% | 34.38% | 29.75% |
| Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST)vs › | $90.79B | 21.74% | 21.92% | 19.60% | 20.74% |
| Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL)vs › | $71.58B | 30.34% | 30.45% | 27.00% | 26.68% |
| Target Corporation (TGT)vs › | $61.42B | 9.76% | 10.43% | 10.92% | 12.67% |
| Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP)vs › | $43.14B | 5.62% | 5.39% | 5.34% | 5.09% |
Capital Efficiency
ROIC
19.4%
ROE
26.4%
Costco Wholesale Corporation Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Formula & Definition
ROIC = NOPAT / Invested Capital
Return on invested capital measures the after-tax return a company earns on all capital (debt and equity) invested in the business.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Costco Wholesale Corporation Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ
- What is the return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 19.44%.
- Is Costco Wholesale Corporation's return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
- Costco Wholesale Corporation's return on invested capital (ROIC) of 19.44% is in line with its 4-year average of 18.24%, near the high end of its 4-year range (16.48%–20.37%).
- What is the TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 19.91%.
- What is the 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 18.76%.
- What is the 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 18.24%.
- What is the 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 16.03%.
- What is the 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 14.46%.
- What is the 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
- The 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for COST stock is 13.35%.
Costco Wholesale Corporation Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) History
| DATE | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) |
|---|---|
| 2025-08-31 | 19.44% |
| 2024-09-01 | 20.37% |
| 2023-09-03 | 16.48% |
| 2022-08-28 | 18.24% |
| 2021-08-29 | 16.65% |
| 2020-08-30 | 13.34% |
| 2019-08-31 | 15.43% |
| 2018-08-31 | 15.27% |
| 2017-08-31 | 14.59% |
| 2016-08-31 | 12.90% |
| 2015-08-31 | 13.64% |
| 2014-08-31 | 11.30% |
| 2013-08-31 | 12.11% |
| 2012-08-31 | 11.84% |
| 2011-08-31 | 10.11% |
| 2010-08-31 | 9.71% |
| 2009-08-31 | 8.84% |
| 2008-08-31 | 10.57% |
| 2007-08-31 | 9.14% |
| 2006-08-31 | 10.21% |
| 2005-08-31 | 10.16% |
| 2004-08-31 | 9.44% |
| 2003-08-31 | 8.75% |
| 2002-08-31 | 9.57% |
| 2001-08-31 | 9.65% |
| 2000-08-31 | 11.88% |
| 1999-08-31 | 11.13% |
| 1998-08-31 | 11.63% |
| 1997-08-31 | 9.85% |
| 1996-08-31 | 9.01% |
Related Metrics
About Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation, alongside its group entities, operates membership-based retail warehouses across a broad international scope, spanning the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, Iceland, China, and Taiwan. These outlets provide customers with an extensive array of both well-known branded and proprietary private-label products. Their vast inventory includes household staples, shelf-stable groceries, confectionery, chilled and frozen items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and deli selections. Furthermore, the stores stock major appliances, consumer electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, garden and patio furniture, sporting goods, vehicle tires, toys, seasonal merchandise, office supplies, automotive maintenance products, postage services, event tickets, apparel, small kitchen appliances, home furnishings, domestic textiles, kitchenware, custom-order kiosks, and fine jewelry. Fresh departments offer meat, produce, a service deli, and bakery items. Beyond retail goods, Costco provides in-store amenities such as pharmacies, optical clinics, food courts, hearing aid centers, and tire installation facilities, in addition to managing 636 gas stations. The company also extends its offerings online through business delivery, travel booking, and same-day grocery fulfillment in various countries. As of August 29, 2021, Costco maintained a global network of 815 membership warehouses, with 564 located in the United States and Puerto Rico, 105 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 30 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 16 in South Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 12 in Australia, 3 in Spain, and one each in Iceland, France, and China. Digital storefronts facilitate e-commerce operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. Founded in 1976, the enterprise was originally known as Costco Companies, Inc. before officially adopting the name Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Issaquah, Washington.
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Discount Stores
- CEO
- Ron Vachris