CL vs COST: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 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 2.44%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and CL trades at the larger discount to fair value (-6%).
| Metric | CL | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.44% | 0.65% |
| Annual dividend | $2.12 | $5.88 |
| Payout ratio | 82% | 27% |
| Years of growth | 52 yr | 21 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.3% | 13.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 15% | 101% |
| Dividend safety score | 88 (A) | 95 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $81.28 | $426.55 |
| Upside to fair value | -6% | -53% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $69.2B | $401.2B |
| P/E ratio | 34.2 | 45.5 |
Higher yield
CL
2.44%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
CL
-6% upside
CL vs COST — FAQ
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