Better buy: Amazon vs Costco

Two heavyweights with strong potential. Where should you place your bet?

| More on:
An exterior shot of an AmazonGo outlet

Image source: Amazon

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

It's not so hard to find COVID-19 winners. While many businesses have been on the unfortunate side of the pandemic, others were poised to skyrocket as people stayed home.

But while e-commerce came out on top, many essentials stores stayed open and served their customers. So while Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) proved its mettle again in 2020, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) made a formidable showing, even in e-commerce. Let's take a look at which one is the better buy.

Prepared for a pandemic

Amazon is the most trusted name in e-commerce. According to Statista, it accounts for half of all United States e-commerce, standing out in a crowded field. Despite its top spot, it keeps growing, with sales increasing 37% in the third quarter ended 30 September, and earnings tripling.

Costco is one of the largest storefront retailers in the US, with $163 billion in 2020 annual sales and increasing. In the 2021 first quarter ended 22 November, comps increased 15% and digital sales rose 86%. Those stellar results happened after most lockdowns were lifted, demonstrating the company's ability to perform well in all types of environments. 

It regularly posts around a 90% member retention rate and millions of new members annually. Membership fees alone contributed almost $1 billion in the first quarter.

Both companies were well-positioned to increase sales over the past few months as customers stayed home and ordered or went to the few essentials retailers that were allowed to remain open. But that doesn't mean growth is over when the pandemic is.

Meeting demand in new areas

While Costco has successfully embraced digital shopping, Amazon has had less success with storefronts. But it's improved its store model and now has 26 Amazon Go stores that offer meals and snacks, and two Go grocery stores where customers can simply take what they want and walk out without waiting on any lines. It also now has seven Amazon Fresh grocery stores, which combine a physical and digital experience, including free same-day delivery for Prime members and Dash cart, another way to skip the checkout line.

Some of Costco's operating segments are still closed or not running at full speed, such as travel, and as they reopen they will add to Costco's already impressive sales. It's managed to make all of that money with only 803 warehouses globally, including 558 in the US. It opened eight new locations in the US in the first quarter and expanded its global presence, where it now has warehouses in 11 international countries.

Amazon has moved beyond retail e-commerce into Amazon Web Services, which accounted for 12% of total revenue in the third quarter but more than half of total earnings. It continues to rack up customers for the high-margin business, adding Star Alliance and more services for Twitter in December.

It's hustling into many other new areas as well. It already has award-winning content in Amazon Prime Video, and has its own music streaming service. It launched Amazon Pharmacy in November to disrupt the prescription drug market, and The Wall Street Journal reported that it is in talks to acquire podcast maker Wondery.

In Costco's favor, it also pays a dividend, which Amazon does not. The yield is a below-average 0.72%, but the company also pays a periodic special dividend that makes it much more valuable – including $10 in November 2020.

Where should investors place their bets?

Amazon and Costco are both excellent companies with opportunities for further growth, and I would recommend either one. But pitched against each other, I'd go with Amazon, because it has a more intriguing case for high growth. Amazon shares trade for almost 10 times Costco's, and if that puts it out of your league, Costco is still a great choice.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon and short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on International Stock News

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
International Stock News

The US election is done and dusted. Is now the time to buy the ASX NDQ ETF?

US stocks continue to march higher this week.

Read more »

A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.
International Stock News

Why is everyone talking about the VIX Index today?

Fear or greed: Which investor sentiment will prevail today?

Read more »

A young kid with dark glasses rocks out with a guitar.
International Stock News

Why Nvidia stock rallied to a new all-time high on Wednesday

The changing of the guard bodes well for the artificial intelligence (AI) chip specialist.

Read more »

A handsome smiling man sits in the front seat of an electric vehicle with his hands on the wheel feeling pleased that the Carsales share price is going up and the company will shortly pay its biggest dividend ever
International Stock News

Why Tesla stock just skyrocketed

Why is Donald Trump's election victory powering explosive gains for Tesla stock?

Read more »

Man holding up betting slip and cheering along with two friends in front of TV
International Stock News

Elon Musk's big gamble: Will Tesla stock plunge if Kamala Harris wins the election?

The Tesla CEO has been an outspoken advocate for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Will it backfire?

Read more »

Four investors stand in a line holding cash fanned in their hands with thoughtful looks on their faces.
Economy

Up 20% this year. Does the S&P 500 Index have more in the tank for 2024?

Will US stocks hold up after the election?

Read more »

two young boys dressed in business suits and wearing spectacles look at each other in rapture with wide open mouths and holding large fans of banknotes with other banknotes, coins and a piggybank on the table in front of them and a bag of cash at the side.
International Stock News

2 magnificent S&P 500 dividend stocks down 27% to 51% to buy and hold forever

These stocks hold potential to act as growth and income plays.

Read more »

A young female investor with brown curly hair and wearing a yellow top and glasses sits at her desk using her calculator to work out how much her ASX dividend shares will pay this year
International Stock News

One Wall Street analyst thinks this emerging Artificial Intelligence stock could rise 60% in the next year

SoundHound AI is on the doorstep of a big year.

Read more »