Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST-Q)

Leans towards AMZN, based on it having retail but also AWS. AI investments should help both AWS and retail customers. More compound potential because of different business streams.

COST has been well developed, but not sure how much more juice there is.

Terrific business. He's also been watching and waiting. Always trades at a high multiple, around 30x earnings. Unique business model with memberships, not a traditional retailer. Strong recently, because it's one of the few ways for consumers to save money. Stock weakness might occur if interest rates ease.

They have a net-leverage ratio (more cash than debt). It's one of the few retailers doing fine. They control theft well. They have so much cash, he thinks there could be a special dividend coming.

It enjoy economies of scale and strong price momentum.

Just delivered another solid quarter, traffic up 5.2%, memmbershio renewals also high.

Reported a strong quarter yesterday: little theft, beating same-store sales, overall sales, earnings and membership count. It rallied 2% today, up 23% this year.

It reports tomorrow. Everyone is questioning the consumer so she will be watching for ongoing subscriber growth. COST could benefit from richer households trading down in their shopping.

Their Kirkland brand is cheaper and better than premium brands. Astonishing. This saves Club Members money. The brand gives a leg up vs. other retail competitors in a tough retail landscape.

Their club system is terrific, with a high renewal rate. They innovate their products and maintain their margins. Lots of room to open new stores, even in North America. The best brick-and-mortar retailer.

Many growth levers. Membership growing quickly, motivated by inflation costs, and this will continue. Brand loyalty. New stores opening annually will support growth and the stock price. Long-term hold. Fantastic management.

A struggle to choose. He owns WMT. You get more defensiveness with the lower prices, as well as online exposure where WMT has made significant investments. 

COST has always had an expensive valuation, and always will. Selloffs are traditionally a good time to buy. Great assets and business model. There are a lot worse things to own than this one.

Will remain a shareholder.
Excellent business for the long term investor.
Very strong business model.
High value surplus of inventory being sold off.
Membership program continues to generate large amount of revenues.
Higher inflation will shift demand to lower cost goods.

It has gone up faster than the fundamentals and growth is in the single digits. Price should probably consolidate.

Stills owns shares in company.
Long term investment.
Membership loyalty very strong (90%) - generates most of profits.
Per square footage buying power very high.
~11% growth for revenue expected.
Current share price a little high.

EPS of $3.42 beat estimates of $3.28. Sales of $53.6B slightly missed estimates of $54.26B. Costco's top-line growth in fiscal 4Q may be driven more by traffic as the average basket size declines, though same-store sales excluding fuel and foreign exchange face tough comparisons. Food and sundries are categories of strength. Management expects inflation to moderate in 4Q, though lower demand for big-ticket items like furniture and electronics remains a headwind that will persist. The company discontinued its charter shipping activities in 3Q, resulting in a non-recurring charge that's weighing on profit. Core merchandise margin may be pressured in fiscal 4Q from higher costs and lower sales of higher-margin discretionary items. Investors liked the results, and the stock remains one that could still do well in a recessionary environment. Valuation is certainly up there at 35X earnings, but it has never been a cheap stock. 
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