NASDAQ:COST

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)

947.50
-2.75 (0.29%)
as of Jul 7, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
653 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJul 6, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 52 opinions in the last 12 months.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is widely regarded as a strong retail business with a loyal customer base, driven by its unique membership model and competitive pricing. Despite its impressive operational performance, many experts express concerns over its high valuation, frequently noting a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio in excess of 40, often approaching or exceeding 50. The company's ability to reflect steady double-digit growth and the potential for expansion through new store openings underline its resilient business model. However, with rising inflation and concerns surrounding membership renewals and market volatility, some experts are cautious about current entry points. Overall, while the sentiment leans positively towards Costco’s long-term prospects, valuation remains a critical concern for investors.

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Consensus
Cautious
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Valuation
Overvalued
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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.

(Analysts’ price target is $1071.56)
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.

(Analysts’ price target is $1071.56)
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.

(Analysts’ price target is $1071.56)
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. 

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.

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. 

WATCH

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.

HOLD
Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

COST is a large consumer staples name, but it trades at a high valuation of 49X forward earnings. Recently, we have been seeing large-cap names, particularly more stable and defensive names, being sold for higher-growth stocks, which helps to explain why the consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare sectors have been underperforming recently. We continue to like COST for a long-term holding, despite its high valuation, given its subscription model, consistency and execution. It may underperform in a strong bull market, but over a long-period of time, it has performed exceptionally. 
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TOP PICK

Growth is driven by steady cadence of new-store expansion. Good traffic. About 9% compounded rate of sales growth over the last decade. Earnings have grown ~13%. Always looks expensive compared to peers, but that reflects its enduring, sustainable competitive advantage. Any day that ends in "y" is a good day to buy. Yield is 0.52%.

(Analysts’ price target is $1080.45)
HOLD

Wonderful business, though not a good valuation (and that's the orange flag). PE ratio is in the 40s if not the 50s, lots of growth already priced in. Even 30x PE is probably a bit rich. Fantastic job increasing cashflow per share. If you own it, hold on (again, from Charlie Munger, "do not interrupt compounding unnecessarily").

BUY ON WEAKNESS

It reports tomorrow. No matter how good the quarter will be, it will sell off as it always does after a quarter. Buy after the report.

SELL

Great company and franchise, but valuation got expensive.

BUY

They will survive this tariff war, because they can source cheap, bulk products.

SELL

Recently sold. PEG ratio just got too high.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 29/24, Up 19%)

Any time it opens up a store, it's successful. Model is easy to replicate in other countries. Exceptional customer loyalty. Produce will probably be impacted less by tariffs, as it's sourced locally; hardware goods may be impacted.

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