Dividend comparison
COST vs WMT: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Costco Wholesale Corporation and Walmart Inc., side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
COST vs WMT: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. WMT pays more income, yielding 0.82% over the last twelve months versus 0.56% for COST. That is about $27 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, WMT returned 157.1% versus 122.4% for COST, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $25,709 in WMT and $22,243 in COST.
- Risk. COST has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -31.4%, against -25.7% for WMT.
- Dividend growth. COST grew its yearly payout 13.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.7% for WMT.
Bottom line: COST fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. WMT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | WMT Walmart Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.56% | 0.82% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $5.54 | $0.98 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.4700 on Aug 7, 2026 | $0.2475 on Sep 8, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 |
| Next payment | $1.4700 on Nov 13, 2026 | $0.2475 on Jan 4, 2027 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 13.3% over 4 yrs | 5.7% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $994.61 | $117.85 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 26.6% | 34.9% |
| Dividend growth streak | 20 years | 50 years |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.58 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -31.4% | -25.7% |
| Market cap | $438.30B | $945.50B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
COST
$4.64/mo
$56 /yr at 0.56% yield
WMT
$6.86/mo
$82 /yr at 0.82% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. COST pays quarterly; WMT pays quarterly.
| Year | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5.0600 | $0.9125 |
| 2024 | $19.5000 | $0.8125 |
| 2023 | $3.9600 | $0.7567 |
| 2022 | $3.4900 | $0.7433 |
| 2021 | $3.0700 | $0.7300 |
Strategy: Dividend stocks
Individual companies with long records of paying and raising dividends. Comparing two of them comes down to how safe the payout is, measured by the payout ratio and balance sheet, how fast it has grown, and what the business needs to keep earning it. A single stock carries company-specific risk that a fund spreads out.
A single company can cut or suspend its dividend, and one holding can fall far more than a diversified fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $22,243 in COST and $25,709 in WMT.
| Period | COST | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 11.09% | 10.42% |
| 3 months | 5.71% | 5.29% |
| Year to date | 15.34% | 6.46% |
| 1 year | 6.40% | 11.02% |
| 3 years | 86.35% | 129.32% |
| 5 years | 122.43% | 157.09% |
- COST
- WMT
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Quick verdict
COST fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. WMT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how COST vs WMT fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is COST or WMT better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. COST currently yields 0.56% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while WMT yields 0.82%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between COST and WMT?
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. Walmart Inc. (WMT) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, COST or WMT?
Over the last 5 years, WMT has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: COST returned 122.4% and WMT returned 157.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, COST or WMT?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, COST has been riskier: COST fell as much as 31.4% and WMT as much as 25.7%. Their betas are 0.87 and 0.58.
How often do COST and WMT pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.4700 for COST and $0.2475 for WMT.
How much income does $10,000 in COST vs WMT generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in COST would generate roughly $4.64 per month ($56 annually). The same amount in WMT would produce about $6.86 per month ($82 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both COST and WMT?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare COST vs WMT with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how COST and WMT fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.