Costco Wholesale Corporation vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $921.25 (market cap $408.78B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $269.12 (market cap $191.08B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 2.1× McDonald's Corp's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.77%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | $191.08B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $264.54 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | $244.79B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 2.77% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
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.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $272.61, down 0.72% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported revenue of $26.89 billion in 2025, with a net income margin of 31.62%, and recently unveiled its 'McDonald's NEXT' growth strategy focusing on automation and menu innovation. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $325.50 price target, indicating significant upside potential.
The outlook for MCD is positive due to strong fundamentals, consistent profitability, and strategic initiatives to drive growth. Key risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and competitive threats. The stock presents a long-term opportunity supported by analyst optimism and a resilient business model, though near-term volatility may persist.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →