COST vs TGT: which was the better investment?
Costco Wholesale Corporation against Target Corporation 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 TGT?
Yes — measured from Jul 9, 1986 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, COST came out ahead: $1,261,714 versus $713,199 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.9% annual return against 11.3%.
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 $1,261,714 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 12517.1% (12.9% per year). The same $10,000 in TGT would be worth $713,199.
Which was riskier — COST or TGT?
COST swung with an annualized volatility of 31.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -61.7%; TGT ran at 32.7% volatility with a -64.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.35 for COST vs 0.28 for TGT.
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 TGT. 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.