the gap between themWMT ahead by $2,991
COST solid · WMT dashed · weekly closes, dividends reinvested
WMT wins 4 of 4. Which matters depends on what you need it for.
- Grew more over five yearsCOST +106% · WMT +136%
WMT
- Fell less at its worstCOST −30% · WMT −25%
- Calmer rideCOST 24% vol · WMT 23% vol
- Pays more incomeCOST 0.66% · WMT 0.93%
related · correlation 0.63
Side by side, line by line
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $895.31 | $106.73 |
| Market value | $397.05B | $849.37B |
| 1-year return | −5.3% | +5.2% (ahead) |
| 3-year return, a year | +18.7% | +26.1% (ahead) |
| 5-year return, a year | +15.5% | +18.7% (ahead) |
| Volatility, a year | 24% | 23% (ahead) |
| Worst drawdown | −30% | −25% (ahead) |
| Worst week | −16.3% (ahead)May 2022 | −19.5%May 2022 |
| Beta | 0.85 | 0.59 |
| P/E ratio | 45.0× | 38.7× |
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 0.93% |
Do COST and WMT move together?
Correlation compares COST’s and WMT’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
COST
−30%
From its Apr 2022 high to May 2022. Back at that high by Nov 2023.
WMT
−25%
From its Apr 2022 high to Jun 2022. Back at that high by Jun 2023.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
COST vs WMT: what people ask
Is COST better than WMT?
Over the past five years, WMT delivered the higher return: +18.7% a year against +15.5% for COST, dividends reinvested. Its worst fall was also shallower (−25% against −30%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between COST and WMT?
COST is Costco Wholesale (Discount Stores), worth $397.05B. WMT is Walmart Inc. (Discount Stores), worth $849.37B.
Should I own both COST and WMT?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.63 over the past five years. They share a direction more often than not, with real room to diverge. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, COST or WMT?
COST swung more: 24% annual volatility against 23% for WMT. At their worst, COST fell 30% and WMT 25% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 0.85 and 0.59.
Which pays a higher dividend, COST or WMT?
WMT currently yields 0.93%, against 0.66% for COST. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Compare something else
Any two stocks or ETFs. Keep COST or swap both.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.