COST vs HRL
Costco Wholesale Corporation compared with Hormel Foods Corporation on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
TTM yield · Quarterly
HRL
Hormel Foods Corporation
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- HRL yields more today: 5.57% vs 0.59% (forward).
- COST has grown its payout faster: 13.2%/yr vs 3.6%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- HRL has the longer streak of annual increases: 24 years vs 21.
- Over the last year COST delivered the higher total return: +9.0% vs -10.1% (price change plus payouts).
- COST raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs low).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | COST | HRL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $1,003.32 | $21.06 |
| TTM yield | 0.55% | 5.57% |
| Forward yield | 0.59% | 5.57% |
| Annual payout per share | $5.88 | $1.172 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 30, 2026 (declared) | Jan 12, 2027 (est.) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 27% | 188% |
| 1-year payout growth | +12.6% | +1.0% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +13.2% | +3.6% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 21 years | 24 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 88/100 | 98/100 |
| 1-year total return | +9.0% | -10.1% |
| 1-year price return | +8.4% | -14.9% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 444.6B | 11.6B |
| Years paying | 22.5 | 39.8 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Defensive |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| COST | HRL | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 10.0 | 474.8 |
| Income per year | $59 | $557 |
| Income per month (avg) | $5 | $46 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model COST · Model HRL
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| COST Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | $1.47 | Declared |
| COST Jan 29, 2027 | Feb 12, 2027 | $1.47 | Est. |
| COST Apr 30, 2027 | May 14, 2027 | $1.47 | Est. |
| HRL Jan 12, 2027 | Jan 26, 2027 | $0.293 | Est. |
| HRL Apr 13, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | $0.293 | Est. |
| HRL Jul 13, 2027 | Jul 27, 2027 | $0.293 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
COSTHRL
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, COST or HRL?
HRL currently has the higher trailing yield: COST yields 0.55% and HRL yields 5.57%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do COST and HRL pay?
COST pays every quarter and HRL pays every quarter. COST's next ex-date is Oct 30, 2026 and HRL's is Jan 12, 2027.
Which has grown its dividend faster, COST or HRL?
COST has grown its payout faster: 13.2%/yr vs 3.6%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is COST or HRL better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. COST and HRL differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.