Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $949.39 (market cap $418.79B), while Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp trades at $57.75 (market cap $26.40B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 15.9× Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp's market cap, and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp pays the higher dividend (2.25%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | CTSH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $418.79B | $26.40B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $86.70 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $38.73 |
Enterprise Value | $406.93B | $27.44B |
Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 2.25% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) trades at $948.1, down 0.49% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong revenue growth to $275.24B in 2025 and net income of $8.10B, though it missed Q1 2026 EPS estimates. Recent news highlights March sales up 11.3% year-over-year and institutional buying activity, while the stock remains near its 52-week high of $1,067.08.
Outlook is supported by robust membership fee growth and expansion, but high valuation ratios like a P/E of 47.5 pose risks. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $1,120 price target, though competitive pressures and economic sensitivity could challenge margins. The stock offers long-term growth potential if valuation aligns with earnings momentum.
CTSH trades at $57.76, down 0.94% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong cash flow generation. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates, but revenue beat, and the company maintains solid profitability with a 10.26% net margin. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $59.92 price target, and the stock shows resilience in financial services growth amid AI investments.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with upside potential from AI initiatives and large-deal execution, though risks include client spending caution and competitive pressures. Valuation metrics like a P/E of 12.58 suggest room for growth if earnings momentum improves.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
The leading warehouse club, Costco has 815 stores worldwide (at the end of fiscal 2021), with most sales derived in the United States (72%) and Canada (14%). It sells memberships that allow customers to shop in its warehouses, which feature low prices on a limited product assortment. Costco mainly caters to individual shoppers, but roughly 20% of paid members carry business memberships. Food and sundries accounted for 40% of fiscal 2021 sales, with non-food merchandise 29%, warehouse ancillary and other businesses (such as fuel and pharmacy) nearly 17%, and fresh food 14%. Costco's warehouses average around 146,000 square feet
Read more on COST →Cognizant is a global IT services provider, offering consulting and outsourcing services to some of the world's largest enterprises spanning the financial services, media and communications, healthcare, natural resources, and consumer products industries. Cognizant employs nearly 300,000 people globally, roughly 70% of whom are in India, although the company's headquarters are in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Read more on CTSH →