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COST or KVUE or MNST
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs. Kenvue Inc. (KVUE) vs. Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COST leads with robust YTD gains of approximately 15.7%, driven by strong Q2 earnings growth and analyst buy ratings, outperforming peers in recent market activity.
- KVUE shows modest YTD returns around 7-8%, supported by Q4 earnings beats and a pending acquisition by Kimberly-Clark, trading at a P/E of about 24 amid undervaluation debates.
- MNST lags with flat YTD performance near 1.4%, despite Q4 sales surpassing expectations at 17.6% growth, as shares dipped on cost and tariff concerns.
- Consumer staples resilience favors COST's membership model for stability, while KVUE and MNST face sector headwinds from inflation and competition.
- Valuations highlight COST at a premium P/E over 50, contrasting KVUE's relative affordability and MNST's 39 P/E amid growth pressures.
- Recent momentum positions COST strongest for trend-following strategies in volatile conditions.
Introduction
This stock comparison evaluates COST, KVUE, and MNST amid shifting consumer staples dynamics, including tariff impacts, inflation pressures, and earnings momentum. These companies span warehouse retail, consumer health, and energy beverages, offering insights into defensive sector relative performance. Traders seeking short-term momentum and investors eyeing long-term stability will find value in analyzing their business models, recent financials, and market positioning for informed portfolio decisions in the current environment.
COST Overview and Recent Performance
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) operates membership-based warehouse clubs and e-commerce, offering bulk goods across food, electronics, and essentials. In recent weeks, shares have shown resilience, trading around $998 with YTD gains of 15.7%, outpacing the S&P 500. Key drivers include a 13% Q2 earnings increase and comparable sales beats, bolstered by plans for tariff refunds and checkout improvements. Analysts maintain buy ratings with targets up to $1,185, reflecting positive sentiment amid competitive retail pressures. Performance reflects steady member traffic and private-label strength, supporting premium valuation.
KVUE Overview and Recent Performance
Kenvue Inc. (KVUE), spun off from Johnson & Johnson, focuses on consumer health brands like Tylenol, Neutrogena, and Listerine across self-care, skin health, and essential health segments. Shares hover near $18.40, with YTD returns of about 7.8% and a market cap of $35B. Recent Q4 results beat expectations with EPS of $0.27 versus $0.22 estimated and revenue of $3.78B, aiding modest gains. A pending $48.7B acquisition by Kimberly-Clark, approved by shareholders, influences sentiment, though institutional shifts temper enthusiasm. Trading at a P/E of 24, it appears relatively undervalued in personal care.
MNST Overview and Recent Performance
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) develops and markets energy drinks, primarily Monster Energy, through subsidiaries. Shares trade around $75.60, with YTD performance near 1.4% and a $74B market cap. Q4 net sales rose 17.6% to $2.13B, beating estimates, with adjusted EPS at $0.51. However, shares fell post-earnings due to tariff, inflation, and aluminum cost concerns, despite gross margin stability at 55.5%. International expansion and leadership changes support long-term growth, but recent momentum lags amid beverage sector volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
COST’s membership warehouse model drives recurring revenue and defensive growth, contrasting KVUE’s brand-reliant consumer health exposure and MNST’s discretionary energy drink focus. Growth catalysts favor COST’s sales momentum over MNST’s international push, hampered by costs, while KVUE benefits from acquisition clarity. Recent momentum highlights COST’s outperformance versus peers’ post-earnings dips. Risks include retail competition for COST, M&A uncertainty for KVUE, and input inflation for MNST. All share consumer staples exposure, but COST shows lower valuation sensitivity. Sentiment leans positive for COST, mixed for others amid broader tariff concerns.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors COST due to consistent upward trends, earnings stability, and superior relative YTD positioning amid market volatility. Its catalysts like membership growth and analyst support suggest higher probability of outperformance versus KVUE’s acquisition dependency and MNST’s cost vulnerabilities, though all merit monitoring for shifts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
COST’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKVUE’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and MNST’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- COST’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KVUE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- MNST’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
COST’s TA Score shows that 7 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KVUE’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s), and MNST’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COST’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KVUE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- MNST’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
COST (@Discount Stores) experienced а +1.68% price change this week, while KVUE (@Household/Personal Care) price change was +1.69% , and MNST (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) price fluctuated +5.28% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was +0.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.87%, and the average quarterly price growth was +11.43%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Household/Personal Care industry was +2.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.74%, and the average quarterly price growth was -7.71%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was +2.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was +164976.25%.
Reported Earning Dates
COST is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
KVUE is expected to report earnings on May 13, 2026.
MNST is expected to report earnings on Apr 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Discount Stores (+0.71% weekly)Companies in the discount stores industry specialize in offering substantial discounts on a vast array of retail products. Some companies in this industry also operate general merchandise warehouse clubs. Products sold at discount stores are typically similar to those of any department store, but the pricing of the goods is generally much lower (and hence the name “discount”). Think Dollar General Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc. and Five Below, Inc. Many discount stores target low-income households and/or price-sensitive consumers as their potential market. Discount stores’ profitability could hinge on factors like competitive pricing, sufficient locations, healthy revenue per square foot, and effective advertisement. These store operators could have an edge over other retailers during financial crises or recessions, when many consumers could be looking for less expensive alternatives.
@Household/Personal Care (+2.02% weekly)Household/Personal Care companies sell products for home cleaning and/or personal hygiene and grooming purposes. Products of this industry include detergents, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, fabric conditioners and infant care fragrances. Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Estee Lauder and Colgate-Palmolive are some of the biggest names in the business. A lot of the products become a necessary part of people’s daily routine, and therefore the industry is relatively less vulnerable to macroeconomic downturns. At the same time, product quality, consumer safety, and ease of use are extremely critical factors for a company to survive competition and earn recognition in this industry.
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (+2.02% weekly)Non-alcoholic drinks include traces of alcohol or low alcohol content or without alcohol or alcohol removed. Functional Beverages, Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs), Sports Drinks, Fruit Beverages, and Bottled Water are some common types of non-alcoholic beverages. The largest segment in this market is soft drinks (think Pepsi and Coke). Many established companies in this space have also been stepping up production of low to zero-calorie varieties in recent years, to cater to a rising number of health-conscious consumers. Coca-Cola Company, Pepsico Inc, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation are some major non-alcoholic beverage makers.
| COST | KVUE | MNST | |
| Capitalization | 458B | 33.4B | 74.5B |
| EBITDA | 13.7B | 2.99B | 2.53B |
| Gain YTD | 19.841 | 2.201 | -0.626 |
| P/E Ratio | 53.67 | 22.93 | 39.27 |
| Revenue | 280B | 15.1B | 8.29B |
| Total Cash | 17.2B | 1.06B | 2.77B |
| Total Debt | 8.1B | 8.67B | 199M |
COST | MNST | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 21 | 73 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 94 Overvalued | 92 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 9 | 23 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 31 | 34 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 51 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 66 | 59 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
MNST's Valuation (92) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as COST (94) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that MNST’s stock grew similarly to COST’s over the last 12 months.
COST's Profit vs Risk Rating (9) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (23) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that COST’s stock grew similarly to MNST’s over the last 12 months.
COST's SMR Rating (31) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (34) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that COST’s stock grew similarly to MNST’s over the last 12 months.
COST's Price Growth Rating (35) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (51) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that COST’s stock grew similarly to MNST’s over the last 12 months.
MNST's P/E Growth Rating (59) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as COST (66) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that MNST’s stock grew similarly to COST’s over the last 12 months.
| COST | KVUE | MNST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 33% | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 44% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 54% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | N/A | 1 day ago 68% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 18 days ago 38% | 11 days ago 64% | 11 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 33% | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 58% |
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COST and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, COST has been loosely correlated with WMT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if COST jumps, then WMT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To COST | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST | 100% | +0.17% | ||
| WMT - COST | 62% Loosely correlated | +1.47% | ||
| BJ - COST | 45% Loosely correlated | -1.58% | ||
| OLLI - COST | 32% Poorly correlated | -5.05% | ||
| PSMT - COST | 31% Poorly correlated | +2.94% | ||
| TGT - COST | 23% Poorly correlated | +0.74% | ||
More | ||||
KVUE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KVUE has been loosely correlated with KMB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 39% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KVUE jumps, then KMB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KVUE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KVUE | 100% | +0.52% | ||
| KMB - KVUE | 39% Loosely correlated | +0.99% | ||
| CL - KVUE | 31% Poorly correlated | +0.57% | ||
| PG - KVUE | 30% Poorly correlated | +1.21% | ||
| UL - KVUE | 28% Poorly correlated | +0.36% | ||
| CLX - KVUE | 28% Poorly correlated | +1.85% | ||
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MNST and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MNST has been loosely correlated with CCEP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 51% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MNST jumps, then CCEP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MNST | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNST | 100% | +1.40% | ||
| CCEP - MNST | 51% Loosely correlated | +0.49% | ||
| KO - MNST | 43% Loosely correlated | +1.15% | ||
| PEP - MNST | 42% Loosely correlated | +1.74% | ||
| CELH - MNST | 39% Loosely correlated | +1.00% | ||
| KDP - MNST | 35% Loosely correlated | +2.24% | ||
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