Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Lowe`s Companies Inc — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $948.47 (market cap $418.79B), while Lowe`s Companies Inc trades at $216.56 (market cap $124.06B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 3.4× Lowe`s Companies Inc's market cap, and Lowe`s Companies Inc pays the higher dividend (2.26%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | LOW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $418.79B | $124.06B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $287.39 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $201.92 |
Enterprise Value | $406.93B | $165.81B |
Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 2.26% |
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.
Lowe's (LOW) trades at $218.84, down 2.02% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral RSI. The company has beaten earnings estimates for the last three quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected on August 19. Revenue declined to $83.67 billion in 2025, but net income margin remained healthy at 7.51%. A $1.25 dividend is scheduled for payment on August 5, 2026.
The outlook is supported by strong analyst consensus, with a $257.06 price target implying 17% upside. Risks include high debt levels and competitive pressures. Earnings growth in the professional segment is a key catalyst, but macroeconomic headwinds could challenge DIY sales momentum.
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 →Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, operating 1,969 stores and servicing around 230 dealer-owned stores throughout the United States and Canada. The firm's stores offer products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, and remodeling, with maintenance and repair accounting for two thirds of products sold. Lowe's targets retail do-it-yourself (around 75% of sales) and do-it-for-me customers as well as commercial and professional business clients (around 25% of sales). We estimate Lowe's captures a low-double-digit share of the domestic home improvement market, based on U.S. Census data and management's estimates for market size.
Read more on LOW →