Stock Comparison
WMT vs COST: Everyday Supercenter, or a Paid Membership Club?
A head-to-head of Walmart and Costco covering retail mix, payout record, and scale.
Data updated September 4, 2026
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
COST has lagged WMT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -3.02% total return against 8.65%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — COST has compounded at 21.25% a year, ahead of WMT at 17.95%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Since Nov 1985 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST | 7.64% | -3.02% | 20.51% | 15.87% | 21.25% | 17.99% | 20.4% | 0.70 | 0.97 | -20.7% |
| WMT | -4.38% | 8.65% | 27.46% | 18.04% | 17.95% | 15.00% | 23.0% | 0.86 | 1.22 | -23.3% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Nov 1985” measures every fund from November 27, 1985 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  COST |  WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Walmart Inc. |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Last Close | $915.74 as of September 4, 2026 | $107.14 as of September 4, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 0.60% | 0.92% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 92 | 100 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 0.55% | 0.92% |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | Operates membership-only warehouse clubs offering a wide selection of merchandise at competitive prices. Sells branded and private-label products across food, sundries, hardlines, softlines, and fresh food categories. | Operates retail stores and e-commerce platforms worldwide. Segments include Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club, offering groceries, general merchandise, and financial services. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.855 | 0.595 |
| Last dividend | $1.47 | $0.2475 declared, pays 01/04/2027 |
| Ex-dividend date | 07/24/2026 | 12/11/2026 upcoming |
Bottom lineCOST and WMT are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar consumer staples exposure with very similar cost and risk. Neither charges a fund expense ratio, so the decision rests on business fundamentals, payout history, and valuation.
WMT vs COST: supercenter or warehouse club?
Both are US retailers that pay quarterly. Walmart is a Dividend King; Costco is a membership warehouse with a smaller regular payout.
| COST | WMT | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | General merchandise supercenter | Membership warehouse |
| Payout | Quarterly dividend | Quarterly dividend |
| Distribution yield | 0.60% | 0.92% |
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Quick verdict
COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) and WMT (Walmart Inc.) are both quarterly-pay dividend-paying stocks, but they take different approaches.
WMT offers the higher yield at 0.92% vs 0.60% for COST. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
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Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, COST would generate roughly $5.00/month, while WMT would produce $7.67/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Strategy & risk
COST is a stock built around consumer staples exposure, while WMT is a stock built around retail exposure. Beta is 0.855 for COST and 0.595 for WMT, making WMT the less volatile of the two by this measure.
Security details
COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) is a stock. WMT (Walmart Inc.) is a stock.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WMT and COST for dividends?
Both are US retailers that pay a quarterly dividend. COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) distributes 0.60% and WMT (Walmart Inc.) distributes 0.92% as of September 2026. Walmart is a Dividend King supercenter; Costco is a membership warehouse with a smaller regular payout. Compare mix and payout record, not a one-date yield race.
What is the current distribution rate for COST and WMT?
COST currently distributes 0.60% and WMT 0.92%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is COST or WMT better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. WMT currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between COST and WMT?
COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) is a stock built around consumer staples exposure, while WMT (Walmart Inc.) is a stock built around retail exposure. They are issued by — and — respectively.
Can I hold both COST and WMT?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Is COST or WMT safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — WMT scores 100, COST scores 92, so WMT's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. WMT has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.59 vs 0.85 for COST). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
How much income does $10,000 in COST vs WMT generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in COST would generate roughly $5.00 per month ($60.00 annually). The same in WMT would produce about $7.67 per month ($92.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, COST or WMT?
COST has lagged WMT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -3.02% total return against 8.65%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — COST has compounded at 21.25% a year, ahead of WMT at 17.95%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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COST vs WMT — at a glance
Generated September 6, 2026.
Overview
Costco and Walmart are both large-cap retail stocks with dividend-paying histories, but they operate in distinct segments of consumer staples and retail. Costco runs a membership-only warehouse model focused on bulk sales and private-label penetration, while Walmart operates traditional discount retail and e-commerce globally across multiple formats including Sam's Club. The key strategic difference: Costco drives loyalty and margin through membership dues and limited SKUs; Walmart relies on scale, everyday low pricing, and omnichannel reach.
How they differ
Costco's membership model creates a different economics profile than Walmart's conventional retail approach. Costco operates approximately 870 warehouses globally with a curated product selection, while Walmart operates thousands of stores across multiple formats (supercenters, neighborhood markets, e-commerce) in 24 countries. On yield, Walmart edges ahead at 0.92% versus 0.60%, though both pay quarterly dividends. The second distinction is financial leverage: Walmart's broader footprint and diversified revenue streams—including Sam's Club membership income and financial services—contrast with Costco's concentration in warehouse operations. Third, volatility and business cycle sensitivity: Costco carries a 0.855 beta versus Walmart's 0.595, meaning Costco exhibits somewhat higher sensitivity to market swings, likely reflecting its reliance on discretionary spending by higher-income members.
Who each is best for
- COST: Fits investors seeking exposure to a high-margin, membership-driven business with strong pricing power and capital discipline, who accept lower current yield in exchange for historically consistent reinvestment in growth and shareholder returns.
- WMT: Fits investors prioritizing current income and defensive exposure to essential retail and grocery consumption across developed and emerging markets, with tolerance for traditional retail-sector dynamics.
Key risks to know
- Membership dependency: Costco's revenue model depends on membership renewal rates and comp traffic; a sustained slowdown in member acquisition or retention could pressure both revenue growth and the warehouse expansion strategy.
- Discretionary spending sensitivity: Costco's customer base skews toward higher-income households whose spending on non-essential categories (hardlines, softlines) may contract during recessions, exposing the stock to economic cycles despite its "staples" classification.
- Walmart's international exposure: Walmart's earnings face currency headwinds from operations in multiple geographies and emerging markets, as well as regulatory and competitive pressures that vary significantly by region.
- Omnichannel execution risk: Walmart's profitability and competitive position hinge on its ability to maintain e-commerce growth while managing the cost structure of a vast physical footprint; any material shift in online adoption or fulfillment economics could pressure margins.
- Maturity and growth constraints: Both stocks trade at valuations reflecting their scale and market position; incremental revenue growth may moderate, which could limit future stock appreciation if dividend growth slows alongside earnings growth.
Bottom line
If you prioritize current yield and defensive exposure to everyday essential spending, Walmart's 0.92% yield and lower 0.595 appeal. If you favor a more focused business model with higher margins and are comfortable with lower current yield, Costco's membership-driven differentiation and operational discipline stand out. Both have long operating histories and capital-return cultures; verify that dividend growth and business momentum align with your time horizon, as past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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