Amazon vs Costco (AMZN vs COST)
Amazon (AMZN) vs Costco (COST) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Amazon (AMZN) and Costco (COST) compete in retail. Here are Amazon and Costco side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Amazon or Costco.
Amazon vs Costco: the figures
| Figure | Amazon | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $266.03 (November 4, 2026) | $1,046.47 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $2.88 trillion | $463.7 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 21.5x | 50.4x |
| Forward P/E | 24.4x | 41.8x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +12.1% | +11.1% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 16.9% | 3.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 1.0x | Net cash |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.58% |
| Beta | 1.50 | 0.85 |
Amazon and Costco figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Amazon or Costco figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Amazon and Costco
- Valuation: Costco trades at 50.4x its annual earnings and Amazon at 21.5x; the market pays more for each dollar of Costco profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Amazon keeps 16.9 as net profit and Costco keeps 3.0.
- Volatility: Amazon stock moves more (beta 1.50) than Costco (beta 0.85); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.
Amazon or Costco: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Amazon is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Costco pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Costco has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Amazon trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Amazon nor Costco wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Amazon and Costco make money
Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon reports three segments. North America, its largest by sales, and International include its online store, fees from third-party sellers, advertising and subscriptions like Prime. AWS, its cloud computing arm, sells storage, computing and AI services to businesses and generates most of the company's operating profit. Full Amazon analysis.
Costco (COST)
Costco runs membership warehouse clubs where shoppers pay an annual fee, and those fees drive a large share of profit. It sells groceries, fresh food, electronics, gasoline and its Kirkland Signature private label, also online. It reports United States and Puerto Rico, by far its largest segment, Canada, and Other International. Full Costco analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Amazon vs Costco
Is Amazon or Costco the better stock?
Choosing between Amazon and Costco depends on what you are looking for. Amazon is growing faster right now, and Amazon trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Amazon or Costco: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Amazon or Costco?
As of November 4, 2026, Costco yields 0.58% and Amazon pays none. Also check how much of their profit Amazon and Costco pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Amazon or Costco?
On P/E, Costco (50.4x) is more expensive than Amazon (21.5x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Amazon and Costco?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Amazon and Costco, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Amazon or Costco.
More comparisons with Amazon or Costco
More companies like Amazon and Costco: retail stocks. Educational content about Amazon and Costco, not investment advice.