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.

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Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Overvalued
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Similar
Walmart,WMT
HOLD
Trim a 14% position?

Well, that's about his position in this name, which he's been holding since ~$300. Now approaching $1000. He trims, but in a minor way. You'd want to wait for a position to top off.

HOLD

Excellent company that continues to dominate. Would recommend holding - no reason to sell. Share price not cheap, but company has earned high valuation. Would wait before investing - but if investing - would recommend holding for the long term. 

BUY ON WEAKNESS

For consumer staples, he likes to stick close to him. A name that's done very well for client portfolios. Not many names are similar, so it can price accordingly; significant leverage in negotiations.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

It's wrong to think its imported foods will get hit by Trump tariffs. Most of its business is driven by membership fees, and they offer low prices to customers. If this opens weak tomorrow, buy.

BUY

He doesn't think a recession is around the corner, so he'd favour big-growth COST for continued mid-cycle economic growth in consumer staples.

HOLD

Has done well. Happy to hold.

PARTIAL SELL

One of the favourite names in his portfolio, one of his favourite places to go. Fantastic technicals with higher highs and higher lows. Valuation of 53x forward PE is up there, premium for a premium name in its own space. He's trimmed. 10-12% earnings growth rate, which sounds expensive but it has no real competitors, not even WMT.

DON'T BUY

Spectacular company, huge competitive advantages. Trades at 60x earnings. Problem is there's nothing he knows about COST that everybody else doesn't already know. He's always looking for an edge that the market doesn't have; if he can't find it, he doesn't buy.

WAIT

Its P/E is high at 50X earnings which used to 36X. It is a dominant player but revenue growth this year is only 5%. It probably goes sideways so wait for a correction.

STRONG BUY

Was upgraded today. They have amazing e-commerce while Walmart has faded. A top-25 company in the world. Must own.

BUY

Stay with it. They have the right model for the consumer in this economic climate. A long-term holding for him.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Very good business, but the valuation is very high (~50x earnings). Would recommend investors wait before investing. Membership business very strong with excellent product offering. 

TOP PICK

Defensive retailers have been picking up in relative strength. DOL is #2 in Canada, COST is #1 in the US. WMT is also moving up into the top-favoured green zone, now in the top 10 of his RSI universe for the US. Yield is 0.5%.

(Analysts’ price target is $891.06)
WAIT

Superior retailer, steady and consistent revenue and bottom line growth for at least a decade. If you don't need cash tomorrow, it's always been a mistake to sell. Not huge growth (~6-8% topline, 11-12% bottom line), but growth nonetheless quarter after quarter. 

Historically trades around 30x earnings, a deserved premium. Announced subscription increase and stock took off along with the multiple at close to 50x. Lots of exuberance in the stock, be cautious. Wait for pullback to $700 level.

WAIT

Like an oasis in the consumer desert. Its value proposition is that it's the cheapest scale-buyer, and passes savings along to the consumer. A unit growth story. Trades at almost 50x earnings. 

When you think of growth stocks, think of their PEG ratios. This one is definitely on the upper end. Though quality of the business is about as good as it comes, there's a better entry point to be had.

There are 2 or 3 smaller brands that do the same thing, such as Sam's Club. COST used to trade in the 30s, but now it's closer to 50x. So if you own it today, you have to be ready for the 20-30% drawdown on just mean reversion on the multiple.

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