Do analysts prefer COST or HSTG?

Costain Group presently has a consensus target price of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)'s higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) is more favorable than Costain Group. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Costain Group 0 Sell rating(s) 1 Hold rating(s) 2 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.67 Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) 0 Sell rating(s) 0 Hold rating(s) 0 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 0.00

Do analysts prefer COST or ELA?

Costain Group presently has a consensus price target of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Eland Oil & Gas' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Eland Oil & Gas is more favorable than Costain Group. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Costain Group 0 Sell rating(s) 1 Hold rating(s) 2 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.67 Eland Oil & Gas 0 Sell rating(s) 0 Hold rating(s) 0 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 0.00

Costain Group (COST) Competitors

GBX 210.50 +0.50 (+0.24%)

As of 11:54 AM Eastern

Compare

COST vs. HSTG, PAG, PETS, ELA, and BIG

Should you buy Costain Group stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Costain Group with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Costain Group include Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) (HSTG), Paragon Banking Group (PAG), Pets at Home Group (PETS), Eland Oil & Gas (ELA), and Big Technologies (BIG). These companies are all part of the "retail" industry.

How does Costain Group compare to Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)?

Costain Group (LON:COST) and Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) (LON:HSTG) are both small-cap retail companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

In the previous week, Costain Group had 2 more articles in the media than Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L). MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Costain Group and 0 mentions for Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L). Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)'s average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Costain Group's score of -0.55 indicating that Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Costain Group	Negative
Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)	Neutral

36.4% of Costain Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 48.0% of Costain Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Costain Group presently has a consensus target price of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)'s higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) is more favorable than Costain Group.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Costain Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67
Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	0.00

Costain Group has a net margin of 3.57% compared to Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)'s net margin of 0.00%. Costain Group's return on equity of 14.87% beat Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)'s return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Costain Group	3.57%	14.87%	5.63%
Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Costain Group has higher revenue and earnings than Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L). Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Costain Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Costain Group	£1.05B	0.54	£29.90M	£13.70	15.36
Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)	£763.70M	0.00	N/A	£13.10	N/A

Costain Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 3 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) pays an annual dividend of GBX 10 per share. Costain Group pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) pays out 76.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Costain Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Costain Group beats Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L) on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Costain Group compare to Paragon Banking Group?

Paragon Banking Group (LON:PAG) and Costain Group (LON:COST) are both small-cap retail companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Paragon Banking Group has a net margin of 14.98% compared to Costain Group's net margin of 3.57%. Costain Group's return on equity of 14.87% beat Paragon Banking Group's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Paragon Banking Group	14.98%	11.98%	1.09%
Costain Group	3.57%	14.87%	5.63%

Paragon Banking Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Costain Group. Paragon Banking Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Costain Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Paragon Banking Group	£525.20M	2.72	£185.69M	£90.00	8.59
Costain Group	£1.05B	0.54	£29.90M	£13.70	15.36

Paragon Banking Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 43.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.7%. Costain Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 3 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Paragon Banking Group pays out 48.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Costain Group pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

In the previous week, Costain Group had 2 more articles in the media than Paragon Banking Group. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Costain Group and 0 mentions for Paragon Banking Group. Paragon Banking Group's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Costain Group's score of -0.55 indicating that Paragon Banking Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Paragon Banking Group	Neutral
Costain Group	Negative

Paragon Banking Group presently has a consensus price target of GBX 1,040.17, suggesting a potential upside of 34.56%. Costain Group has a consensus price target of GBX 190, suggesting a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Paragon Banking Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Paragon Banking Group is more favorable than Costain Group.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Paragon Banking Group	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	6 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00
Costain Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67

65.7% of Paragon Banking Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 36.4% of Costain Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.1% of Paragon Banking Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 48.0% of Costain Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Paragon Banking Group has a beta of 1.182, indicating that its share price is 18% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Costain Group has a beta of 0.891, indicating that its share price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Paragon Banking Group beats Costain Group on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Costain Group compare to Pets at Home Group?

Pets at Home Group (LON:PETS) and Costain Group (LON:COST) are both small-cap retail companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, media sentiment, analyst recommendations and risk.

Pets at Home Group has higher revenue and earnings than Costain Group. Pets at Home Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Costain Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Pets at Home Group	£1.47B	0.52	£75.43M	£13.60	12.79
Costain Group	£1.05B	0.54	£29.90M	£13.70	15.36

Pets at Home Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 13 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.5%. Costain Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 3 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Pets at Home Group pays out 95.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Costain Group pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Pets at Home Group has a net margin of 4.29% compared to Costain Group's net margin of 3.57%. Costain Group's return on equity of 14.87% beat Pets at Home Group's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Pets at Home Group	4.29%	6.50%	4.66%
Costain Group	3.57%	14.87%	5.63%

Pets at Home Group has a beta of 1.083, indicating that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Costain Group has a beta of 0.891, indicating that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

Pets at Home Group presently has a consensus price target of GBX 240, indicating a potential upside of 37.93%. Costain Group has a consensus price target of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Pets at Home Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Pets at Home Group is more favorable than Costain Group.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Pets at Home Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75
Costain Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67

59.1% of Pets at Home Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 36.4% of Costain Group shares are held by institutional investors. 3.3% of Pets at Home Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 48.0% of Costain Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Costain Group had 2 more articles in the media than Pets at Home Group. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Costain Group and 0 mentions for Pets at Home Group. Pets at Home Group's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Costain Group's score of -0.55 indicating that Pets at Home Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Pets at Home Group	Neutral
Costain Group	Negative

Summary

Pets at Home Group beats Costain Group on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Costain Group compare to Eland Oil & Gas?

Costain Group (LON:COST) and Eland Oil & Gas (LON:ELA) are both small-cap retail companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, media sentiment, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, risk and valuation.

Costain Group has a net margin of 3.57% compared to Eland Oil & Gas' net margin of 0.00%. Costain Group's return on equity of 14.87% beat Eland Oil & Gas' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Costain Group	3.57%	14.87%	5.63%
Eland Oil & Gas	N/A	N/A	N/A

36.4% of Costain Group shares are held by institutional investors. 48.0% of Costain Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Costain Group had 2 more articles in the media than Eland Oil & Gas. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Costain Group and 0 mentions for Eland Oil & Gas. Eland Oil & Gas' average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Costain Group's score of -0.55 indicating that Eland Oil & Gas is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Costain Group	Negative
Eland Oil & Gas	Neutral

Costain Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 3 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Eland Oil & Gas pays an annual dividend of GBX 0.02 per share. Costain Group pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Eland Oil & Gas pays out 0.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Costain Group has higher revenue and earnings than Eland Oil & Gas. Eland Oil & Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Costain Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Costain Group	£1.05B	0.54	£29.90M	£13.70	15.36
Eland Oil & Gas	£207.73M	0.00	N/A	£30.00	N/A

Costain Group presently has a consensus price target of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Eland Oil & Gas' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Eland Oil & Gas is more favorable than Costain Group.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Costain Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67
Eland Oil & Gas	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	0.00

Summary

Costain Group beats Eland Oil & Gas on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Costain Group compare to Big Technologies?

Big Technologies (LON:BIG) and Costain Group (LON:COST) are both small-cap retail companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, dividends and media sentiment.

Costain Group has a net margin of 3.57% compared to Big Technologies' net margin of -46.62%. Costain Group's return on equity of 14.87% beat Big Technologies' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Big Technologies	-46.62%	-26.32%	5.60%
Costain Group	3.57%	14.87%	5.63%

Big Technologies presently has a consensus price target of GBX 95, indicating a potential downside of 7.77%. Costain Group has a consensus price target of GBX 190, indicating a potential downside of 9.74%. Given Big Technologies' higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Big Technologies is more favorable than Costain Group.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Big Technologies	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.00
Costain Group	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67

In the previous week, Costain Group had 2 more articles in the media than Big Technologies. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Costain Group and 0 mentions for Big Technologies. Big Technologies' average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Costain Group's score of -0.55 indicating that Big Technologies is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Big Technologies	Neutral
Costain Group	Negative

Costain Group has higher revenue and earnings than Big Technologies. Big Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Costain Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Big Technologies	£49.73M	6.05	£12.39M	-£8.00	N/A
Costain Group	£1.05B	0.54	£29.90M	£13.70	15.36

Big Technologies has a beta of 0.943, meaning that its share price is 6% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Costain Group has a beta of 0.891, meaning that its share price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

18.6% of Big Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 36.4% of Costain Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 27.5% of Big Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 48.0% of Costain Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Costain Group beats Big Technologies on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding COST and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of LON and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.

COST vs. The Competition

Export

Metric	Costain Group	Engineering & Construction Industry	Industrials Sector	LON Exchange
Market Cap	£562.20M	£3.30B	£9.58B	£2.80B
Dividend Yield	2.15%	3.15%	3.55%	6.16%
P/E Ratio	15.36	27.17	25.63	367.11
Price / Sales	0.54	80.79	4,975.73	86,377.90
Price / Cash	0.87	14.58	27.68	27.85
Price / Book	2.50	3.33	4.69	7.95
Net Income	£29.90M	£105.39M	£792.17M	£5.89B
7 Day Performance	8.73%	1.82%	1.80%	1.38%
1 Month Performance	6.85%	-1.58%	1.92%	1.63%
1 Year Performance	47.20%	58.11%	26.91%	73.73%

Costain Group Competitors List

Export

Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
COST Costain Group	1.6818 of 5 stars	GBX 210.50 +0.2%	GBX 190 -9.7%	+50.0%	£562.20M	£1.05B	15.36	3,270	Insider Trade
HSTG Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	£1.65B	£763.70M	19.05	3,372	High Trading Volume
PAG Paragon Banking Group	4.3502 of 5 stars	GBX 768.52 +0.3%	GBX 1,040.17 +35.3%	-14.5%	£1.42B	£525.20M	8.54	26,500
PETS Pets at Home Group	3.381 of 5 stars	GBX 176.46 -1.6%	GBX 240 +36.0%	-33.6%	£780.45M	£1.47B	12.97	210
ELA Eland Oil & Gas	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	£357.57M	£207.73M	5.53	260

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This page (LON:COST) was last updated on 6/18/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.

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Costain Group (COST) Competitors

COST vs. HSTG, PAG, PETS, ELA, and BIG

How does Costain Group compare to Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Paragon Banking Group?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Pets at Home Group?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Eland Oil & Gas?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Big Technologies?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

COST vs. The Competition

Costain Group Competitors List

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Costain Group (COST) Competitors

COST vs. HSTG, PAG, PETS, ELA, and BIG

How does Costain Group compare to Hastings Group Holdings plc (HSTG.L)?

Does the media refer more to COST or HSTG?

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of COST or HSTG?

Do analysts prefer COST or HSTG?

Is COST or HSTG more profitable?

Which has preferable earnings and valuation, COST or HSTG?

Is COST or HSTG a better dividend stock?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Paragon Banking Group?

Is PAG or COST more profitable?

Which has higher valuation & earnings, PAG or COST?

Is PAG or COST a better dividend stock?

Does the media favor PAG or COST?

Do analysts rate PAG or COST?

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in PAG or COST?

Which has more risk and volatility, PAG or COST?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Pets at Home Group?

Which has better valuation & earnings, PETS or COST?

Is PETS or COST a better dividend stock?

Is PETS or COST more profitable?

Which has more volatility and risk, PETS or COST?

Do analysts prefer PETS or COST?

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of PETS or COST?

Does the media prefer PETS or COST?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Eland Oil & Gas?

Is COST or ELA more profitable?

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of COST or ELA?

Does the media refer more to COST or ELA?

Is COST or ELA a better dividend stock?

Which has better valuation & earnings, COST or ELA?

Do analysts prefer COST or ELA?

Summary

How does Costain Group compare to Big Technologies?

Is BIG or COST more profitable?

Do analysts recommend BIG or COST?

Does the media prefer BIG or COST?

Which has better earnings and valuation, BIG or COST?

Which has more volatility and risk, BIG or COST?

Do insiders & institutionals believe in BIG or COST?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

COST vs. The Competition

Costain Group Competitors List

Related Companies and Tools

MarketBeat All Access Features

Best-in-Class Portfolio Monitoring

Stock Ideas and Recommendations

Advanced Stock Screeners and Research Tools