Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)

Founded in 1983, Costco Wholesale Corp operates a global network of membership-only warehouse clubs focused on offering high-quality products and services at consistently low prices. In its latest fiscal year, the company ran approximately 910 warehouses and served more than 80 million members across three geographic segments: Costco U.S., which generated about 73% of total revenue, Costco Canada at 13%, and Costco International at 14%. Costco’s core value proposition—quality merchandise at highly competitive prices—has supported strong membership renewal rates, reaching 93% in the U.S. and Canada and nearly 90% internationally. Roughly 55% of fiscal 2025 revenue came from grocery sales, while general merchandise contributed another 25%.

Palantir Technologies is an artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automated decision-making company that helps organizations improve efficiency through data-driven operations. It serves commercial customers through its Foundry platform and government clients through Gotham. Palantir works exclusively with organizations in Western-allied nations and maintains the right to decline engagements it views as contrary to Western values. Founded in 2003, the company became publicly traded in 2020.