Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $921.4 (market cap $408.78B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $234.36 (market cap $94.08B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 4.3× Waste Management, Inc.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.51%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | $94.08B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | $116.81B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 1.51% |
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.
WM trades at $236.71, up 1.45% today, near its 52-week high. The stock shows bullish technical signals with strong moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $263.57. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, with revenue growth to $25.20 billion in 2025. The company maintains solid profitability with a 10.99% net margin and offers a dividend, with the next payment scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to pricing discipline and renewable energy initiatives, but high valuation multiples (P/E 34.26) and recent earnings misses pose risks. Institutional sentiment is bullish with no sell ratings, though debt levels have increased. Key near-term catalyst is Q2 2026 earnings release on July 28, 2026.
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →