Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Macy's Inc — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $920.84 (market cap $408.78B), while Macy's Inc trades at $23.15 (market cap $6.11B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 66.9× Macy's Inc's market cap, and Macy's Inc pays the higher dividend (3.3%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | M | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | $6.11B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $25.96 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $11.90 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | $9.92B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 3.3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
COST trades at $926.43, up 1.11% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. Revenue grew to $275.24B in 2025, with net income up to $8.10B, and March 2026 sales surged 11.3% year-over-year (Costco report, April 8, 2026). Valuation ratios are elevated, with a P/E of 46.6, while analyst consensus is bullish with a $1,120 price target. Recent membership fee hikes and institutional buying support growth prospects.
Outlook remains positive due to steady revenue growth and high membership renewal rates, but risks include rich valuations and competitive pressures. The stock offers long-term value if pullbacks occur, with earnings momentum key for upside. Bearish technicals suggest near-term caution, though fundamentals underpin investor confidence.
Macy's (M) trades at $22.78, up 0.62% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The stock shows attractive valuation metrics, including a P/E of 9.41 and P/S of 0.28, alongside improving cash flow and a recent earnings beat streak. The 'Bold New Chapter' strategy is driving operational improvements, with Berkshire Hathaway's new stake in Q1 2026 signaling institutional confidence.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by low valuation and strategic initiatives, but risks include margin pressure from retail sector headwinds and execution challenges in the turnaround plan. Analyst consensus is mixed, with a $24.83 price target suggesting modest upside potential from current levels.
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 →Founded in 1858 and based in New York City, Macy's operates 570 stores under the Macy's nameplate, 58 stores under the Bloomingdale's nameplate, and 160 freestanding Bluemercury specialty beauty stores (as of the end of fiscal-year 2021). Macy's also operates e-commerce sites and licenses two Bloomingdale's stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Women's apparel, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and fragrances comprised 59% of Macy's 2021 sales.
Read more on M →