COST vs PSMT: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, COST and PSMT are closely matched. PSMT offers the higher yield at 0.82%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and PSMT looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 38% below its share price).
Key facts: COST vs PSMT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, PriceSmart, Inc. (PSMT) has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.82%, versus 0.59% for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades COST's dividend safety A (97/100) and PSMT's A (91/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, COST has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and PSMT for 4.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, COST pays out 27% of its earnings as dividends and PSMT pays out 26%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, COST's fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price and PSMT's fair-value estimate is 38% below its share price, so PSMT looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "COST vs PSMT: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cost-vs-psmt
| Metric | COST | PSMT |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.59% | 0.82% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $1.40 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 26% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 4 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 12.5% |
| 5-yr total return | 83% | 137% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 91 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $487.61 | $105.55 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | -38% |
| Frequency | quarterly | semiannual |
| Market cap | $438.3B | $5.2B |
| P/E ratio | 47.6 | 32.7 |
Higher yield
PSMT
0.82%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
PSMT
-38% upside
COST vs PSMT — FAQ
Is COST or PSMT a better dividend stock?
COST and PSMT are closely matched. PSMT has the higher yield; COST scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, COST or PSMT?
PSMT has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.82%, versus 0.59% for COST.
Is COST or PSMT safer?
COST has the higher dividend-safety score (97/100 vs 91/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is COST or PSMT better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, PSMT looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 38% below its share price (overvalued). For COST, its fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.