CL vs COST: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of June 2026, COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. CL offers the higher yield at 2.37%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and CL trades at the larger discount to fair value (-10%).
| Metric | CL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.37% | 0.60% |
| Annual dividend | $2.12 | $5.88 |
| Payout ratio | 81% | 27% |
| Years of growth | 52 yr | 21 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.4% | 13.2% |
| 5-yr total return | 10% | 148% |
| Dividend safety score | 88 (A) | 95 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $80.20 | $425.48 |
| Upside to fair value | -10% | -57% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $71.6B | $435.7B |
| P/E ratio | 34.7 | 49.5 |
Higher yield
CL
2.37%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.2%
Better value
CL
-10% upside
CL vs COST — FAQ
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