Costco Wholesale CorporationCOSTSELLNov 20, 2025Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Sep 25, 2026. Market Open.
World's third-largest retailer. High traffic, repeat business, superior same-store sales growth in high single digits. Likes the recurring membership fees, with ~92% retention rate. Likes the procurement clout and narrow assortment of goods. Pretty good gross margins of 11%, and ~30% ROE.
Seems to trade at a high multiple, and this scares people. But it's compounded at 17-18% since the IPO in 1985. Any day that ends in "y" is a good day to buy. Yield is 0.64%.
Has traded at a high valuation pretty much since it went public. Good luck trying to pick a perfect valuation entry point. He invests in companies that can invest cashflows at high rates of return over decades. Stealing market share from low- and middle-end grocery stores. Adding services, such as Medicare plans in the US. Same-store sales growth 7-8% a year.
Deserves to trade at a high multiple because of business durability over the long term. Yield is 0.60%.
Used to own this name, but came out earlier this year. Leaking like a balloon, trading below all the moving averages. Don't put any $$ to work here until consumer sector starts performing better.
Look at the sector. He has virtually 0% weighting in the consumer. From homebuilders to retailers to restaurants to leisure travel to airlines, all are performing poorly. WMT has been the standout in the group, but COST is not.