Costco Wholesale Corporation vs 22nd Century Group Inc — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $924.83 (market cap $408.78B), while 22nd Century Group Inc trades at $4.19 (market cap $1.45M). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 281917.2× 22nd Century Group Inc's market cap, and Costco Wholesale Corporation pays a 0.64% dividend while 22nd Century Group Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | XXII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | $1.45M |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $1.47K |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $3.90 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | -$6.78M |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Costco (COST) trades at $920.54, down 0.64% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported revenue of $275.24 billion in 2025, with net income of $8.10 billion, and recently announced strong March sales growth of 11.3% year-over-year (GlobeNewsWire, 2026-04-08). Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with a $1,120 price target, supported by 38 buy ratings.
The stock's high P/E of 46.37 reflects premium valuation, but consistent revenue growth and membership fee increases underpin fundamentals. Risks include competitive pressures and sensitivity to consumer spending. Upside potential exists if the stock pulls back toward support levels, aligning with analyst targets.
XXII trades at $4.10, down 3.07% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company shows severe financial distress with a negative gross profit margin of -52.19% and net income margin of -65.76% for 2025. Recent news highlights expansion of VLN reduced-nicotine cigarettes in California and New York, aiming to capture market share. A 20:1 reverse stock split occurred on June 12, 2026, to adjust share structure.
The outlook remains high-risk due to persistent losses and cash burn, though analyst consensus is 75% buy-rated. Investment opportunity hinges on successful commercialization of VLN products and FDA regulatory renewals. Key risks include execution challenges, intense competition, and reliance on financing to sustain operations amid negative cash flow from operations.
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 →22nd Century Group is a plant biotechnology company that uses genetic engineering and gene editing to control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants. Its flagship product line, VLN®, is the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), containing 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes to help adult smokers smoke less.
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