Bullstory
May 25, 2026

Walmart and Costco Are Highly Valued; Writer Prefers Walmart

Walmart and Costco are considered defensive stocks, but their price-to-earnings ratios are high. The writer prefers Walmart over Costco and presents Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon as alternatives.


Walmart and Costco Are Highly Valued; Writer Prefers Walmart

Walmart and Costco are generally classified as defensive businesses. Both companies are described as having strong competitive advantages in the market. The article compares the investment appeal of the two companies.

The article says both companies’ shares are highly valued. The price-to-earnings ratio (P/E, the number of times a stock price equals earnings) is 44.4 times for Walmart and 54.6 times for Costco. The article considers these levels to be high.

The writer recommends Walmart over Costco. The reasons given are expectations for AI adoption and the reliability of its dividend history. Walmart’s dividend history is described as relatively more stable.

At the same time, the article suggests that investors consider large-cap growth stocks such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon as alternatives. It names these companies as investment alternatives. The article notes that some investors may prefer these growth stocks.

In summary, the author considers both stocks to face valuation pressures at present, while rating Walmart more favorably. The author also suggests that investors examine the large-cap technology stocks mentioned as alternatives. The original article explains each rationale in detail in the body.

Sources: The Motley Fool

Bullstory synthesized this report from the linked sources. AI may have assisted the writing process. Check the original reports for factual confirmation.