COST vs EL
Valuation
Profitability
Growth
Financial Health
Dividends
AI Verdict
COST shows neutral fundamentals based on deterministic rules. Financial strength is stable (F-Score 4/9). Mixed signals with both opportunities and risks present.
The Estée Lauder Companies (EL) exhibits severe fundamental weakness, highlighted by a critical Piotroski F-Score of 2/9, indicating deteriorating financial health. While the company maintains strong gross margins (74.32%) and has a history of beating earnings estimates, these are overshadowed by an unsustainable dividend payout ratio of 471.43% and a high Debt/Equity ratio of 2.33. Massive insider selling exceeding $1 billion and a catastrophic 5-year price decline of 73.5% suggest a lack of confidence from internal stakeholders and long-term investors. Despite analyst 'buy' recommendations, the combination of negative ROE and weak deterministic scores points to significant structural risk.
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COST vs EL: Head-to-Head Comparison
This page compares Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) across key fundamental metrics including valuation ratios, profitability margins, growth rates, financial health indicators, and dividend metrics. Each metric highlights the better-performing stock so you can quickly identify relative strengths and weaknesses.
Our AI engine independently analyzes each company's financials, competitive position, and market conditions to produce a verdict (Bullish, Neutral, or Bearish) along with key strengths and risks. Use this comparison alongside your own research to make informed investment decisions.