COST vs DEO: 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. DEO offers the higher yield at 2.34%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and DEO trades at the larger discount to fair value (+10%).
| Metric | COST | DEO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.66% | 2.34% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $2.00 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 107% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 2.6% |
| 5-yr total return | 82% | -57% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 57 (C) |
| Fair value estimate | $441.82 | $94.55 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | +10% |
| Frequency | quarterly | semiannual |
| Market cap | $397.1B | $47.6B |
| P/E ratio | 45.0 | 27.4 |
Higher yield
DEO
2.34%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
DEO
+10% upside
COST vs DEO — FAQ
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