NASDAQ:COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

902.38
-0.22 (0.02%)
as of Sep 10, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
655 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconSep 10, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 48 opinions in the last 12 months.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is widely regarded by experts as one of the best retailers globally, primarily due to its strong business model, consistent growth, and loyal customer base. Many analysts appreciate its recurring membership fees and the impressive ~92% retention rate, alongside its procurement power leading to solid gross margins. However, there is a consensus that the stock is trading at historically high valuation multiples, often cited in the range of 44x to 53x PE, raising concerns about its sustainability amid a potentially slowing growth trajectory. Analysts generally recommend buying on pullbacks, as they expect long-term growth despite current high valuations. The key takeaway is that while Costco is an exceptional company, prospective investors should be cautious of the lofty price and ensure they are buying at opportune levels.

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Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Overvalued
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WMT
TOP PICK

No valuation concerns, as it's been expensive every day he's looked at it over 30 years. Compounded shareholder total return of 17.5% since its IPO. Third-largest retailer in the world. Procurement clout and supply-chain efficiencies produce gross margins of 11%. Still expanding store count. Periodically increases membership fees. Superior same-store sales performance driven by traffic and basket size.

Lots of ways to win. Yield is 0.59%.

(Analysts’ price target is $1092.97)
HOLD

The only consumer staples he owns are COST and KO, which are still growing.

PARTIAL BUY

Leave some $$ in your technology sleeve to allocate to one of the end users -- an industrial (TT) or big US bank (JPM or Citi) or retail/logistics (WMT or COST).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 19/25, Up 9%)

A good name to hold in consumer staples when people panic about market volatility, recession, or the like. Defensive plus steady growth. Runup since January, now trending sideways. Business model is what makes it stand out.

Sees ~11-12% upside from here. Of course, that could change. Ranks 10/10 for her.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 03/25, Up 1%)

Sold it back in October, at just a bit lower than trading right now. Great business model, but the valuation was overdone.

SELL

Sold when the PE got crazy. Still a great business. Very expensive. Mag 7 will grow faster than COST.

HOLD

Some said renewal rates weren't up to snuff, but whenever the price of gas jolts up, you buy Costco. But this current spike means you should wait on Costco.

BUY

Loves shopping here. They report Thursday. He wants to know how many people are renewing their memberships. 

BUY

It had a rough 2025, but up 16.7% this year. He loves their runway with the membership business. Still likes it long term.

HOLD

Consumer staples space in the US has really been all about COST. Uptrend, then down, now recovered.

WAIT

Wonderful business, adds a lot of value for customers. He struggles with the valuation, given its growth profile. To get a good longer-term return, you need earnings growth and multiple expansion.

WMT, as well as COST and DOL, are very defensive havens for investors. That's bid up the shares. PE ratios for the three are all north of 40x. With just a slight moderation in the PE, the overall return will still be flat. He'd be interested on a significant pullback. Be patient.

WEAK BUY

Is one of the greatest businesses on Earth. Customer satisfaction is off the chart, but at 50x PE the stock is too expensive. Not worth holding for 2 years, but 20 years, yes.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 17/25, Up 7%)

Secret sauce is ongoing ability to surprise and delight customers. Still likes, still holds.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Results were excellent, double-digit growth, yet pulled back along with others in 2025. You have to look at the chart -- stock's tripled since the pandemic. Could be the pause that refreshes. 

Very excited about it as long as it keeps on growing, and he sees no reason for it not to. Trades at a high valuation, but one of the most durable business models he's ever seen. It can add 30-35 stores a year for 20-30+ years. Membership can grow because it offers such good value. He adds on material pullbacks, such as drop to mid-$800 level.

BUY

Has long owned this. It's trading at a high 50x PE, above historic highs, but their numbers are coming through. The stock is bouncing. Stay long. He still likes it.

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