ACI vs COST: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head metrics. ACI offers the higher yield at 5.81%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and ACI trades at the larger discount to fair value (+9%).
| Metric | ACI | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 5.81% | 0.65% |
| Annual dividend | $0.68 | $5.88 |
| Payout ratio | 388% | 27% |
| Years of growth | 1 yr | 21 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 13.0% |
| 5-yr total return | -61% | 101% |
| Dividend safety score | 68 (B) | 95 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $13.69 | $426.27 |
| Upside to fair value | +9% | -53% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $5.9B | $401.2B |
| P/E ratio | 71.1 | 45.5 |
Higher yield
ACI
5.81%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
ACI
+9% upside
ACI vs COST — FAQ
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