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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BUY

Sank 2.9% today one earnings. However, revenue, EPS and comp. sales beat. Are seeing more younger members. To combat tariffs, are altering their supply chain to hold down prices. It's absurd that the street is punishing them for disappointing renewal rates of online subscribers--this is an excuse to sell. Charlie Munger was a massive shareholder of COST. Over the last 20 years, has returned 19% annually--one of the best stocks ever--vs. 11% by the S&P. With this pullback, it is cheap.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

 They report Thursday. Likes it, but they are stuck in purgatory with a high 53x PE. Wait for it to fall below 50x PE. Expects more downside.

DON'T BUY

Likes the company, but has never owned the stock. It's always been screened out because of valuation. Trading today at 53x PE on this year's earnings. Great business model, and the street recognizes that.

You have to look at these companies in terms of what can go wrong. If we go into a sustained, negative economic period, there's going to be a lot of hurt on a company like this.

WAIT

Has maintained a premium valuation for a long time. If you're a growth investor, you could buy this one, but he's not wild about the valuation. Wait for a market correction.

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)
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)
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