NASDAQ:COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

951.58
+16.55 (1.77%)
as of Jul 27, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
653 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJul 27, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 51 opinions in the last 12 months.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is widely recognized as a strong business, with both customers and employees expressing high satisfaction. Analysts note Costco’s capability for long-term growth through continuous store expansion and a successful membership model. However, concerns about its high price-to-earnings (PE) ratio—ranging from 44x to over 50x—dominate discussions, leading many experts to hesitate regarding its current valuation. While some maintain that Costco represents a buy-and-hold opportunity due to its consistency and business model, others emphasize that the high valuation may limit potential returns. Overall, Costco is viewed as a resilient company, navigating through economic challenges while continuing to please its loyal customer base.

consensus icon
Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Overvalued
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Similar
Walmart,WMT
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.

BUY

He partially sold his holding. Technical analyst Larry Williams says that COST is now undervalued. COST's long-term cycle peaked in early 2025 and has sunk since then. His cycle forecast predicts COST to rally again, a screaming buy. His short-term cycle research expects COST to rally into late February then pull back, then rally in June. It was just upgraded today on strength in its core business, but most stocks rallied today. 

WAIT

Weaker because in the current investor environment, no one cares about buying tissue by the palette. Extremely well managed. Long runway of growth. Problem is (and has always been) valuation. Do you want to pay 50x PE for 10% annual growth?

If there were another 10% or so pullback, he'd definitely be interested. This company is extremely durable; rain or shine, they take more market share. Around $730-750, he'd definitely be a buyer.

TOP PICK

Still one of the most consistent businesses in global retail. Hard-to-replicate membership model is the core driver of loyalty, recurring revenue, and steady traffic. Even with tougher consumer backdrop, still continues to gain market share. Predictable cashflow and long-term compounding through cycles. 

Pullback provides a good entry point. Trades at 50x forward PE, but that reflects durability and reliability. Sees over 20% growth upside from here. Ranks 10/10 on fundamentals. Yield is 0.6%.

(Analysts’ price target is $1036.90)
WATCH

He and his family have renewed their Costco membership. It's an amazing business. Has been watching it a long time. The valuation is far too rich. As Charlie Munger said, let it compound wealth. Costco continues to open warehouses while their Kirkland Brand remains massive. If you own, continue to hold even through sideways periods.

PARTIAL SELL

The stock got too high. He had to sell half his position. Is concerned with the memberships renewals and may sell the rest.

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