COST vs FLO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 27, 2026, COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. FLO offers the higher yield at 8.14%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and FLO looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 34% above its share price).
Key facts: COST vs FLO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 27, 2026, Flowers Foods, Inc. (FLO) has the higher forward dividend yield at 8.14%, versus 0.59% for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST).
- As of Oct 27, 2026, SmarterDividends grades COST's dividend safety A (97/100) and FLO's C (50/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 27, 2026, COST has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and FLO for 23.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, COST pays out 27% of its earnings as dividends and FLO pays out 321%.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, COST's fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price and FLO's fair-value estimate is 34% above its share price, so FLO looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "COST vs FLO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 27, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cost-vs-flo
| Metric | COST | FLO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.59% | 8.14% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $0.50 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 321% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 23 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 4.5% |
| 5-yr total return | 86% | -76% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 50 (C) |
| Fair value estimate | $489.60 | $8.20 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | +34% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $445.4B | $1.3B |
| P/E ratio | 48.4 | 22.7 |
Higher yield
FLO
8.14%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
FLO
+34% upside
COST vs FLO — FAQ
Is COST or FLO a better dividend stock?
On the data, COST wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). FLO offers the higher yield (8.14%), while COST has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, COST or FLO?
FLO has the higher forward dividend yield at 8.14%, versus 0.59% for COST.
Is COST or FLO safer?
COST has the higher dividend-safety score (97/100 vs 50/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is COST or FLO better value right now?
As of Oct 27, 2026, FLO looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 34% above its share price (undervalued). For COST, its fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.