COST Stock Analysis & Forecast (2026)

Costco Wholesale Corporation Consumer Defensive Discount Stores
$984.75
Current Price
76%
Buy
View Plans
Data refreshed: April 16, 2026

Key Financial Metrics

Market Cap
$437.10B
P/E Ratio (TTM)
51.3x
P/E Forward
43.8x
Revenue Growth
21.5%
Gross Margin
12.9%
Net Margin
3.0%
Return on Equity
29.7%
Debt/Equity
0.60

AI Analysis Summary

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is a Consumer Defensive company in the Discount Stores industry with a 76% Buy Score. Key strengths include Revenue Growth (21.5%), Return on Equity (29.7%). Our AI evaluates 8 fundamental categories including revenue growth, margin quality, balance sheet strength, cash flow generation, return on capital, and valuation metrics.

Revenue Growth: Strong Gross Margin: Average Net Margin: Thin Return on Equity: Excellent Debt/Equity: Elevated

This analysis is generated by StrongBuyAnalytics AI using publicly available financial data from SEC filings, earnings reports, and market feeds. It is not personalized investment advice. See our methodology and disclaimer.

COST Fundamental Analysis Report
PDF Report Preview
76%
Strong Buy Score
  • 8 Fundamental Categories Analyzed
  • Revenue & Growth Trends
  • Margin & Profitability Analysis
  • Balance Sheet Strength
  • Cash Flow Quality
  • Valuation Assessment
  • AI-Powered Investment Insights
Get Your Free COST Report

How It Works: AI Stock Analysis in 60 Seconds

See how our AI analyzes COST fundamentals to generate buy/sell signals and Strong Buy Scores.

Why COST Has a 76% Score

Our AI evaluates Costco Wholesale Corporation's fundamentals across multiple dimensions. Here is what is driving the current Buy rating:

Recent Catalysts for COST

Key developments and data points that may impact Costco Wholesale Corporation's trajectory:

Earnings grew 45.5% — accelerating profitability could drive re-rating.
Wall Street consensus target is $1069.50 (+8.6% from current price), based on 32 analyst estimates.
Analyst consensus recommendation: Buy.
Institutional ownership at 72.5% — strong smart-money backing.

COST vs. Peers

How Costco Wholesale Corporation stacks up against comparable Consumer Defensive companies on key metrics:

Ticker Price Market Cap P/E Rev Growth Net Margin ROE
COST $984.75 $437.10B 51.3x 21.5% 3.0% 29.7%
AAPL $266.43 $3.92T 33.7x 15.7% 27.0% 152.0%
MSFT $411.22 $3.06T 25.7x 16.7% 39.0% 34.4%
GOOGL $337.12 $4.08T 31.2x 18.0% 32.8% 35.7%
AMZN $248.50 $2.67T 34.6x 13.6% 10.8% 22.3%

Main Risks for COST Investors

Every investment carries risk. Here are the specific risk factors our analysis identified for Costco Wholesale Corporation:

Trailing P/E of 51.3x prices in significant growth — any miss could trigger a sharp selloff.
Short interest is elevated with a 3.4-day cover ratio, indicating bearish bets against the stock.

Generate the full PDF report for a detailed risk-reward framework and bear-case scenarios.

COST Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

A snapshot of Costco Wholesale Corporation's financial health based on the most recent filings:

Total Cash
$11.13B
Total Debt
$10.23B
Current Ratio
1.06
FCF Yield
1.5%
EBITDA
$13.46B
Operating Margin
3.7%

Data sourced from the latest SEC filings. Generate the full PDF report for detailed balance sheet and cash flow commentary.

COST Valuation Snapshot

Trailing P/E
51.3x
High expectations
Forward P/E
43.8x
Earnings growth expected
Price / Book
26.4x
High intangible value
Analyst Target (Mean)
$1069.50
Range: $650 – $1315
Dividend Yield
0.53%
5Y avg: 0.60%
52-Week Price Range — COST is trading at 63% of its range
$844.06 (52W Low) $1067.08 (52W High)

Is COST a Buy Right Now?

Based on our AI-powered fundamental analysis, COST has a Strong Buy Score of 76%, earning a "Buy" rating. This score synthesizes 8 key financial metrics to provide an objective investment signal.

Strong Buy Signal

Costco Wholesale Corporation demonstrates robust fundamentals across multiple categories. Key strengths include Revenue Growth (21.5%) and Return on Equity (29.7%). The stock shows characteristics typically associated with outperformers.

COST AI Buy & Sell Signals Explained

Our AI analyzes Costco Wholesale Corporation's financial statements to generate buy/sell signals based on quantitative metrics, not market sentiment or news headlines. Here's what drives the 76% score:

  • Revenue Growth: 21.5% year-over-year (above average)
  • Gross Margin: 12.9% (tight margins)
  • Net Margin: 3.0% (profitable)
  • Return on Equity: 29.7% (excellent capital efficiency)

Generate the full PDF report for complete category-by-category scoring and AI-powered investment recommendations.

Key Support / Demand Zones

Technical traders can view real-time demand and supply zones for COST on our Demand Zones page. These zones identify key price levels where institutional buying or selling has historically occurred.

With COST currently trading at $984.75, our system monitors proximity to these critical levels and can alert you when the stock approaches support or resistance zones.

Subscribe to demand zone alerts to receive real-time notifications when COST reaches key technical levels.

Earnings & Revenue Outlook

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in Discount Stores. Understanding earnings trends is crucial for forecasting COST's trajectory.

Current revenue growth of 21.5% significantly outpaces the average company. This strong growth trajectory supports a higher valuation multiple.

Visit our Earnings Calendar to track upcoming COST earnings dates and historical beat/miss patterns. Sign up for earnings alerts to get notified before announcements.

COST Stock Forecast (Next 3–12 Months)

Our AI projects COST's trajectory based on current fundamentals and historical patterns. With a 76% Strong Buy Score, here's what the data suggests:

Bullish Outlook: Costco Wholesale Corporation shows strong fundamental momentum. Revenue growth of 21.5% suggests continued expansion. Stocks with similar profiles have historically outperformed over 12-month periods.

For a complete 12-month price forecast with specific bull/bear scenarios, generate the full PDF report.

Valuation Metrics (P/E, Growth, Margins)

Understanding valuation is critical for determining if COST is fairly priced. Here's the current snapshot:

  • Market Capitalization: $437.10B
  • P/E Ratio (TTM): 51.3x (high expectations)
  • Forward P/E: 43.8x (based on analyst estimates)
  • Debt/Equity: 0.60 (moderate leverage)

Our AI weighs these metrics against growth rates and margin quality to determine if COST offers compelling risk-adjusted returns at current prices.

Bull Case for COST

Here's why investors are bullish on Costco Wholesale Corporation:

  • Revenue Growth (21.5%)
  • Return on Equity (29.7%)

With a 76% Strong Buy Score, the bull case is well-supported by current fundamentals. The stock exhibits characteristics of quality compounders that tend to outperform long-term.

Bear Case & Risks for COST

Every investment carries risk. Here are potential concerns for COST investors:

  • Competitive pressures in Consumer Defensive
  • Macroeconomic sensitivity and interest rate exposure
  • Execution risk on growth initiatives
  • Valuation compression if growth slows

The full PDF report includes a detailed bear case analysis with specific risk ratings for each category.

Summary / 12-Month Outlook

COST Summary: Costco Wholesale Corporation earns a 76% Buy Score based on AI analysis of fundamental data. Trading at $984.75 with a $437.10B market cap, the stock shows strong fundamentals supporting a bullish 12-month outlook.

Bull Case: Revenue Growth (21.5%), Return on Equity (29.7%)

For the complete analysis with specific price considerations, growth projections, and AI-powered buy/hold/sell recommendations, generate your free COST PDF report.

Learn More About Stock Analysis

Deepen your understanding of the concepts used in this COST analysis:

Fundamental Analysis Guide

Learn how to evaluate stocks using financial statements and key metrics.

Understanding P/E Ratio

What P/E ratio tells you about a stock's valuation and growth expectations.

Return on Equity (ROE)

Why ROE matters for stock selection and how to interpret it.

Stock Valuation Methods

Compare DCF, P/E, and other approaches to value stocks like COST.

What Are Demand Zones?

Find key support and resistance levels for COST and other stocks.

How to Read Earnings Reports

Understand earnings per share, revenue surprises, and guidance.

Related Tools for COST

Demand Zone Analyzer COST Live Chart Earnings Calendar Institutional Ownership Sector Scanner Average Down Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions about COST

Is COST a good buy right now?
COST currently has a Strong Buy Score of 76% (Buy). Based on AI analysis of fundamentals, COST shows strong buy signals with solid revenue growth, margins, and return metrics. Generate a free PDF report for specific buy/hold/sell recommendations.
What is the COST stock forecast for 2026?
Our AI forecasts COST based on current fundamentals: revenue growth of 21.5%, net margin of 3.0%, and P/E of 51.3x. The 76% Strong Buy Score reflects our outlook combining growth trajectory, margin quality, and valuation. See the full 12-month projection in your PDF report.
What are key support and resistance levels for COST?
View real-time COST demand zones (support) and supply zones (resistance) on our Demand Zones page. With COST currently at $984.75, you can see how close the stock is to key technical levels. Subscribe to get alerts when COST approaches these zones.
How do COST fundamentals compare to peers?
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates in the Consumer Defensive sector. Key metrics for peer comparison: Gross margin 12.9%, ROE 29.7%, Debt/Equity 0.60. The 76% Strong Buy Score factors in how these metrics stack up against industry averages. Data is refreshed daily.
Is the COST analysis PDF report free?
Yes! Your first COST fundamental analysis report is completely free with no credit card required. The PDF includes the full Strong Buy Score breakdown, all 8 fundamental categories analyzed, AI-powered insights, and specific investment recommendations. Additional reports are available through our subscription plans starting at $24/month.
What is Costco Wholesale Corporation's market cap and P/E ratio?
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has a market cap of $437.10B and a trailing P/E ratio of 51.3x (forward P/E: 43.8x). These valuation metrics are key factors in our Strong Buy Score calculation. See all metrics in the PDF report for comprehensive valuation analysis.

This COST analysis is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All data is sourced from public filings and market feeds. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read our full disclaimer.