COST vs WMT: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, COST and WMT are closely matched. WMT offers the higher yield at 0.93%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and WMT trades at the larger discount to fair value (-41%).
| Metric | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.66% | 0.93% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $0.99 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 35% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 50 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 5.5% |
| 5-yr total return | 82% | 114% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 91 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $441.82 | $62.79 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | -41% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $397.1B | $846.8B |
| P/E ratio | 45.0 | 38.7 |
Higher yield
WMT
0.93%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
WMT
-41% upside
COST vs WMT — FAQ
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