COST vs KR: which was the better investment?
Costco Wholesale Corporation against The Kroger Co. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jul 9, 1986 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did COST beat KR?
No — measured from Jul 9, 1986 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, KR came out ahead: $1,472,587 versus $1,262,308 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 13.3% annual return against 12.9%.
What would $10,000 in COST be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) on Jul 9, 1986 would be worth about $1,262,308 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 12523.1% (12.9% per year). The same $10,000 in KR would be worth $1,472,587.
Which was riskier — COST or KR?
COST swung with an annualized volatility of 31.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -61.7%; KR ran at 31.3% volatility with a -66.8% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.35 for COST vs 0.36 for KR.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jul 9, 1986 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with COST vs KR. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.