Kash Pashootan Costco Wholesale Corporation COST-Q COMMENT Mar 14, 2017

One of the leaders in the low-cost space. Their margins run at about half of what their competitors do. That model only works if there is high turnover of your products. They have been successful in picking the right products, pricing them and moving them very quickly. The risk is, if you do get into a slowdown, there really isn’t any room to cut prices. They generate about 25% of revenue from membership fees, and with so many members, it is difficult to grow revenue. Membership fees are going up, which is a way to have that side of the business stay strong. Trading at about 29X Price to Earnings. For him, the dividend trajectory growth is not there, and trades too rich for him. Dividend yield of 1.1%.

Kash Pashootan

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$165.240

Stock price when the opinion was issued

department stores

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In addition to the 200-day MA, he looks at peaks and troughs. Look at the last low and the last high. The next high hit the previous high, so that's two relatively similar peaks. The stock may be below the 200-day MA (1st rule to sell), but it hasn't dropped below the last trough (2nd rule to sell). As long as it holds above the last trough, you're safe.

Don't go into full panic right now. Hold for now; if it breaks that second rule, then get out.

BUY

Great company, a staple. Pullback lately. Membership renewal has been great, and she's watching that. Ranks 10/10 on fundamentals. She'd buy. Upside potential still 13-14% from here.

BUY

Great stock. Incredible compounder of shareholder value over 4 decades. Recurring revenue from memberships, narrow assortment, and sharp pricing. Always looks expensive, but any day that ends in "y" is a good day to buy.

DON'T BUY

Great operation. Steady membership and store buildout growth. Very expensive; 45-47x PE last time he checked. Too high of a bar for him as a value investor. Risks of supply chains, labour, inventory, tariffs.

TOP PICK

The PE is high, they can add 20-30 stores a year for 20-30 years. A huge runway worldwide. They do all they can for employees and shareholders. One of the best businesses in the world.