AMZN vs. COST
AMZN (Amazon.com, Inc) and COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) are both stocks. AMZN operates in Internet Retail (Consumer Cyclical), while COST operates in Discount Stores (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, AMZN returned 21.13%/yr vs 22.40%/yr for COST. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
AMZN vs. COST - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AMZN achieves a 6.59% return, which is significantly lower than COST's 13.02% return. Over the past 10 years, AMZN has underperformed COST with an annualized return of 21.13%, while COST has yielded a comparatively higher 22.40% annualized return.
AMZN
- 1D
- -3.06%
- 1M
- -10.53%
- YTD
- 6.59%
- 6M
- 7.19%
- 1Y
- 18.33%
- 3Y*
- 24.79%
- 5Y*
- 8.94%
- 10Y*
- 21.13%
COST
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -2.40%
- YTD
- 13.02%
- 6M
- 8.93%
- 1Y
- -3.31%
- 3Y*
- 25.13%
- 5Y*
- 21.49%
- 10Y*
- 22.40%
AMZN vs. COST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc | 6.59% | 5.21% | 44.39% | 80.88% | -49.62% | 2.38% | 76.26% | 23.03% | 28.43% | 55.96% |
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | 13.02% | -5.39% | 39.62% | 49.00% | -19.05% | 51.82% | 32.67% | 45.70% | 10.60% | 22.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between AMZN and COST is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 1997 | 0.33 |
The correlation between AMZN and COST shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.36 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
AMZN:
$8.37
COST:
$26.51
AMZN:
29.39
COST:
36.67
AMZN:
0.71
COST:
2.87
AMZN:
3.59
COST:
1.10
AMZN:
$742.78B
COST:
$293.59B
AMZN:
$348.59B
COST:
$11.12B
AMZN:
$152.71B
COST:
$12.48B
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Return for Risk
AMZN vs. COST — Risk / Return Rank
AMZN
COST
AMZN vs. COST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amazon.com, Inc (AMZN) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| AMZN | COST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.79 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 0.99 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.85 | -0.21 | +1.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.03 | -0.47 | +2.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AMZN | COST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.61 | -0.18 | +0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.95 | -0.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 | 1.02 | -0.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.56 | 0.59 | -0.02 |
Drawdowns
AMZN vs. COST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AMZN drawdown since its inception was -94.40%, which is greater than COST's maximum drawdown of -53.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMZN and COST.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AMZN | COST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -94.40% | -53.39% | -41.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.74% | -16.02% | -5.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -30.88% | -20.74% | -10.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -56.15% | -31.40% | -24.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -56.15% | -31.40% | -24.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.53% | -11.19% | +0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.12% | -13.36% | -14.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.05% | 7.12% | +1.93% |
Volatility
AMZN vs. COST - Volatility Comparison
Amazon.com, Inc (AMZN) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) have volatilities of 7.85% and 7.91%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AMZN | COST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.85% | 7.91% | -0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.63% | 14.83% | +5.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.18% | 19.15% | +11.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 35.52% | 22.72% | +12.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.47% | 21.94% | +10.53% |
Dividends
AMZN vs. COST - Dividend Comparison
AMZN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while COST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMZN Amazon.com, Inc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | 0.55% | 0.59% | 0.49% | 2.87% | 0.76% | 0.54% | 3.38% | 0.86% | 1.08% | 4.81% | 1.09% | 4.06% |
Financials
AMZN vs. COST - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Amazon.com, Inc and Costco Wholesale Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
AMZN vs. COST - Profitability Comparison
AMZN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Amazon.com, Inc reported a gross profit of 66.77B and revenue of 181.52B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 36.8%.
COST - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported a gross profit of -17.68B and revenue of 70.53B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -25.1%.
AMZN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Amazon.com, Inc reported an operating income of 23.85B and revenue of 181.52B, resulting in an operating margin of 13.1%.
COST - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported an operating income of 2.82B and revenue of 70.53B, resulting in an operating margin of 4.0%.
AMZN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Amazon.com, Inc reported a net income of 30.26B and revenue of 181.52B, resulting in a net margin of 16.7%.
COST - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported a net income of 2.19B and revenue of 70.53B, resulting in a net margin of 3.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
AMZN and COST have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
COST has higher volatility (7.91%) compared to AMZN (7.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMZN dropped -94.40% vs COST's -53.39%.
AMZN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.61 vs -0.18), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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