COST vs STZ: 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. STZ offers the higher yield at 3.46%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and STZ trades at the larger discount to fair value (+56%).
| Metric | COST | STZ |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.66% | 3.46% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $4.12 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 39% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 10 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 6.3% |
| 5-yr total return | 82% | -45% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 80 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $441.82 | $185.14 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | +56% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $397.1B | $20.3B |
| P/E ratio | 45.0 | 11.3 |
Higher yield
STZ
3.46%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
STZ
+56% upside
COST vs STZ — FAQ
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