Core Viewpoint - Both Costco and Alphabet are considered good dividend stocks despite their low yields, with Costco being a more stable option and Alphabet offering greater long-term growth potential [2][13][14] Group 1: Costco - Costco has a consistent dividend history, with a payout ratio below 30% and an annual growth rate of around 13% over the past years [5][6] - The latest quarterly dividend was raised to $1.30, resulting in an annual payout of $5.20 and a yield of approximately 0.5% [5] - Costco occasionally pays special dividends, such as a $15 special dividend in early 2024, which can benefit long-term shareholders [6] - The stock trades at over 50 times earnings, reflecting its quality but leaving little margin for error in future performance [7][8] - Despite healthy sales and earnings growth of 8% and 13% respectively in the most recent quarter, the high valuation limits future return expectations [8] Group 2: Alphabet - Alphabet initiated its dividend in 2024, with a small annual payout of $0.84 per share and a yield of around 0.4%, but a payout ratio of less than 10% allows for significant growth potential [9] - The company is heavily investing in AI and cloud infrastructure, which has impacted short-term free cash flow but is aimed at long-term growth [10] - Alphabet's diversified revenue sources, including advertising, YouTube, and Google Cloud, are performing well, contributing to its growth story [11] - The stock trades at about 21 times forward earnings, which is lower than many tech peers and Costco, indicating a favorable valuation [11] - Revenue and operating income increased by 14% year over year in the second quarter of 2025, suggesting potential for substantial future dividend increases [12]