Compare StocksCOST vs RTX

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs RTX Corporation (RTX)

COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$1011.70
VS
RTX
RTX Corporation
$173.99

Rewards

COST
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation scores 96/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 30.8% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
RTX
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 19.2% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $3.65 of earning power — management is an exceptional capital allocator.

Risks

COST
  • Gross margin of 12.9% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
  • Despite buyback spending, shares outstanding increased in 3 out of 4 years — stock-based compensation is offsetting repurchases.
  • FCF yield of 1.5% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
RTX
  • Gross margin of 20.2% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
  • 7 insider sales totaling $32.7M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

Key Valuation Metrics

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COST
RTX
Valuation
$6.69B
Free Cash Flow
$7.23B
1.49%
FCF Yield
3.09%
52.64
Trailing P/E
32.70
45.02
Forward P/E
23.05
Quality & Moat
30.54%
ROIC
8.80%
47.71%
ROE
9.90%
12.93%
Gross Margin
20.21%
1.16
PEG Ratio
1.01
Balance Sheet Safety
0.60
Debt / Equity
0.57
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
-0.07
Net Debt / EBITDA
2.10
0.58%
Dividend Yield
1.59%
COST: 3Ties: 1RTX: 8
COSTRTX

Historical Fundamentals

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COST

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

RTX

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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COST
$19.41
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$9.28B
Δ Market Cap
+$180.14B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
RTX
$21.02
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$4.67B
Δ Market Cap
+$98.20B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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COST
129.0% Overvalued
Price is 129.0% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $1011.70
Fair Value: $441.80
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
RTX
85.2% Overvalued
Price is 85.2% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $173.99
Fair Value: $93.93
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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COST

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $1012?

+21.6%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +24.3%

The market implies +21.6% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +24.3%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

RTX

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $174?

+17.0%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +16.0%

The market implies +17.0% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +16.0%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

Economic Moat Score

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COST
96/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
RTX
51/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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COST
-2.65
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
RTX
-2.30
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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COST
Insiders 0.2%Institutions 72.6%Retail & Other 27.2%
No. of Institutional Holders5,063
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
RTX
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 80.9%Retail & Other 19.0%
No. of Institutional Holders3,942
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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COST
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
RTX
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
WINNEFELD JAMES A. JR.
Director
$23,580
@ $117.90 · 2025-04-23
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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COST
2
Sells (3M)
15
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $23.76M
FRATES CATON
Officer
$695,100
@ $993.00 · 2026-04-01
ADAMO CLAUDINE
Officer
$732,205
@ $1003.02 · 2026-03-09
JONES TERESA A
Officer
$838,318
@ $986.26 · 2026-01-21
DECKER SUSAN LYNNE
Director
$437,390
@ $955.00 · 2026-01-16
KLAUER JAMES C
Officer
$1.41M
@ $939.00 · 2026-01-14
POLIT JAVIER
Officer
$2.26M
@ $866.38 · 2025-12-30
WILCOX WILLIAM RICHARD
Officer
$2.23M
@ $930.13 · 2025-11-07
ADAMO CLAUDINE
Officer
$2.53M
@ $935.68 · 2025-10-24
BARBRE TIFFANY MARIE
Divisional Officer
$1.16M
@ $934.91 · 2025-10-24
FRATES CATON
Officer
$1.40M
@ $910.02 · 2025-09-29
JONES TERESA A
Officer
$595,230
@ $992.05 · 2025-08-20
RUBANENKO YORAM B.
Officer
$3.90M
@ $974.96 · 2025-07-14
DECKER SUSAN LYNNE
Director
$536,058
@ $980.00 · 2025-06-18
CALLANS PATRICK J
Officer
$3.01M
@ $1002.77 · 2025-06-09
RIEL PIERRE
Officer
$2.03M
@ $1014.15 · 2025-06-06
KLAUER JAMES C
Officer
$3.92M
@ $981.07 · 2025-04-17
MILLERCHIP GARY
Officer
$1.03M
@ $940.01 · 2025-03-27
ADAMO CLAUDINE
Officer
$830,304
@ $922.56 · 2025-03-24
FRATES CATON
Officer
$765,213
@ $900.25 · 2025-03-18
VACHRIS ROLAND MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$3.35M
@ $931.00 · 2025-03-11
GALANTI RICHARD ALAN
Officer and Director
$1.27M
@ $894.97 · 2024-10-24
JONES TERESA A
Officer
$717,236
@ $896.54 · 2024-10-23
RIEL PIERRE
Officer
$1.79M
@ $896.71 · 2024-10-15
CALLANS PATRICK J
Officer
$2.23M
@ $893.94 · 2024-09-30
ADAMO CLAUDINE
Officer
$2.84M
@ $888.99 · 2024-09-30
FRATES CATON
Officer
$1.50M
@ $883.35 · 2024-09-30
DECKER SUSAN LYNNE
Director
$543,430
@ $876.50 · 2024-08-15
GALANTI RICHARD ALAN
Officer and Director
$868,962
@ $868.96 · 2024-08-15
JONES TERESA A
Officer
$3,330
@ $832.50 · 2024-07-25
HINES DANIEL M
Officer
$2.54M
@ $846.37 · 2024-07-15
DENMAN KENNETH D
Director
$298,036
@ $851.53 · 2024-07-15
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
RTX
7
Sells (3M)
17
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $46.72M
WILLIAMS DANTAYA M
Officer
$2.58M
@ $202.83 · 2026-02-23
MITCHILL NEIL G JR
Chief Financial Officer
$7.35M
@ $205.56 · 2026-02-19
CALIO CHRISTOPHER T
Chief Executive Officer
$12.96M
@ $203.80 · 2026-02-19
MAHARAJH RAMSARAN JR
General Counsel
$3.10M
@ $204.65 · 2026-02-19
DASILVA KEVIN G
Officer and Treasurer
$1.64M
@ $201.30 · 2026-02-13
EDDY SHANE G
Officer
$3.49M
@ $199.16 · 2026-02-12
JOHNSON AMY L.
Officer
$1.58M
@ $195.03 · 2026-02-10
CALIO CHRISTOPHER T
Chief Executive Officer
$858,278
@ $178.32 · 2025-10-27
MITCHILL NEIL G JR
Chief Financial Officer
$873,528
@ $180.15 · 2025-10-24
ATKINSON TRACY A
Director
$500,948
@ $178.91 · 2025-10-24
EDDY SHANE G
Officer
$4.15M
@ $159.79 · 2025-08-27
BRUNK TROY D
Officer
$1.19M
@ $155.20 · 2025-08-12
JASPER PHILIP J
Officer
$2.03M
@ $157.82 · 2025-08-04
DASILVA KEVIN G
Officer and Treasurer
$1.36M
@ $156.20 · 2025-07-24
MAHARAJH RAMSARAN JR
General Counsel
$222,600
@ $152.26 · 2025-07-23
WILLIAMS DANTAYA M
Officer
$2.33M
@ $137.62 · 2025-06-03
JOHNSON AMY L.
Officer
$528,777
@ $127.54 · 2025-05-06
MITCHILL NEIL G JR
Chief Financial Officer
$2.10M
@ $130.35 · 2025-02-27
CALIO CHRISTOPHER T
Chief Executive Officer
$3.57M
@ $130.36 · 2025-02-27
MAHARAJH RAMSARAN JR
General Counsel
$2.46M
@ $126.82 · 2025-02-25
BRUNK TROY D
Officer
$361,736
@ $125.95 · 2025-02-24
DASILVA KEVIN G
Officer and Treasurer
$1.30M
@ $125.08 · 2025-02-19
EDDY SHANE G
Officer
$1.95M
@ $124.45 · 2025-02-18
WILLIAMS DANTAYA M
Officer
$1.81M
@ $129.23 · 2025-02-05
HAYES GREGORY J
Officer and Director
$15.88M
@ $117.74 · 2024-07-31
MITCHILL NEIL G JR
Chief Financial Officer
$498,908
@ $115.43 · 2024-07-30
CALIO CHRISTOPHER T
Chief Executive Officer
$482,790
@ $114.00 · 2024-07-29
JOHNSON AMY L.
Officer
$766,864
@ $113.88 · 2024-07-29
JASPER PHILIP J
Officer
$1.39M
@ $113.65 · 2024-07-29
DASILVA KEVIN G
Officer and Treasurer
$938,766
@ $114.96 · 2024-07-26
WILLIAMS DANTAYA M
Officer
$2.02M
@ $114.87 · 2024-07-26
MAHARAJH RAMSARAN JR
General Counsel
$260,401
@ $114.71 · 2024-07-26
EDDY SHANE G
Officer
$773,604
@ $114.76 · 2024-07-26
TIMM STEPHEN J
Officer
$2.10M
@ $105.72 · 2024-05-10
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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COST
FearGreed
😏Greed(67/100)

"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
RTX
FearGreed
😐Neutral(44/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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COST
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (67)
RTX
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (44)
View COST Full AnalysisView RTX Full Analysis
COST vs RTX: Which Is the Better Buy? | SafetyMargin.io