Costco Wholesale Corporation vs iShares MSCI Japan ETF — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $921.56 (market cap $408.78B), while iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $93.71. The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation pays a 0.64% dividend while iShares MSCI Japan ETF pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | EWJ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | — |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $96.97 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $71.69 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Costco (COST) trades at $926.43, up 1.11% with strong fundamentals including 11.3% March sales growth and consistent earnings beats. The stock faces technical headwinds with bearish moving averages but maintains solid profitability with $8.1B net income and expanding margins. Recent membership fee increases and warehouse expansion support long-term growth, though high valuation multiples present near-term pressure.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at $1,120 price target (65% buy ratings), but investors should monitor valuation sustainability amid technical weakness. Key risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity, while institutional accumulation and strong cash flow generation provide fundamental support.
EWJ, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF, trades at $92.72, down 1.94% on the day. Technical indicators are mixed, with a neutral overall signal but bullish moving averages, while key financial ratios are unavailable. The ETF provides exposure to Japanese equities but faces headwinds from yen weakness, as recent news highlights currency hedging strategies and potential government intervention to support the yen.
The outlook for EWJ is influenced by Japan's equity market performance and currency dynamics. Opportunities include diversification benefits and potential gains if the Nikkei 225 rebounds, but risks stem from yen depreciation, geopolitical tensions, and domestic economic policies. Investors should weigh currency-hedged alternatives amid ongoing volatility.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index, providing broad exposure to over 180 large and mid-cap companies in Japan. It is the most established and liquid vehicle for accessing the Japanese equity market, featuring a diversified portfolio across industrials, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors.
Read more on EWJ →