COST vs WMT: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of August 2026, COST and WMT are closely matched. WMT offers the higher yield at 0.86%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and WMT trades at the larger discount to fair value (-48%).
| Metric | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.61% | 0.86% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $0.99 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 34% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 50 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 5.5% |
| 5-yr total return | 114% | 148% |
| Dividend safety score | 95 (A) | 91 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $425.84 | $60.41 |
| Upside to fair value | -56% | -48% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $426.2B | $917.3B |
| P/E ratio | 48.3 | 40.6 |
Higher yield
WMT
0.86%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
WMT
-48% upside
COST vs WMT — FAQ
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