COST vs HRL: 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. HRL offers the higher yield at 5.61%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and HRL trades at the larger discount to fair value (+58%).
| Metric | COST | HRL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.65% | 5.61% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $1.17 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 188% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 24 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 4.5% |
| 5-yr total return | 101% | -50% |
| Dividend safety score | 95 (A) | 71 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $426.27 | $34.02 |
| Upside to fair value | -53% | +58% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $401.2B | $11.3B |
| P/E ratio | 45.5 | 33.7 |
Higher yield
HRL
5.61%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
HRL
+58% upside
COST vs HRL — FAQ
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