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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Similar
Walmart,WMT
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.

DON'T BUY

A fabulous company. They just raised membership fees for the first time since 2017 which they will likely reinvest. But it trades at 50x PE, which has always been his complaint despite this being a great company. Growth prospects are no higher than 10%. That isn't good enough. 

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