COST Stock Analysis & Forecast (2026)

Costco Wholesale Corporation Consumer Defensive Discount Stores
$994.76
Current Price
76%
Buy
Data refreshed: February 26, 2026

Key Financial Metrics

Market Cap
$441.63B
P/E Ratio (TTM)
53.2x
P/E Forward
44.7x
Revenue Growth
8.3%
Gross Margin
12.9%
Net Margin
3.0%
Return on Equity
30.3%
Debt/Equity
0.27

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 Return on Equity (30.3%), Debt/Equity (0.27). 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: Moderate Gross Margin: Average Net Margin: Thin Return on Equity: Excellent Debt/Equity: Low Risk
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.

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 Return on Equity (30.3%) and Debt/Equity (0.27). 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: 8.3% year-over-year (positive)
  • Gross Margin: 12.9% (tight margins)
  • Net Margin: 3.0% (profitable)
  • Return on Equity: 30.3% (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 $994.76, 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 8.3% exceeds the average company.

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. 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: $441.63B
  • P/E Ratio (TTM): 53.2x (high expectations)
  • Forward P/E: 44.7x (based on analyst estimates)
  • Debt/Equity: 0.27 (conservative balance sheet)

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:

  • Return on Equity (30.3%)
  • Debt/Equity (0.27)

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 $994.76 with a $441.63B market cap, the stock shows strong fundamentals supporting a bullish 12-month outlook.

Bull Case: Return on Equity (30.3%), Debt/Equity (0.27)

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

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 8.3%, net margin of 3.0%, and P/E of 53.2x. 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 $994.76, 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 30.3%, Debt/Equity 0.27. 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 $441.63B and a trailing P/E ratio of 53.2x (forward P/E: 44.7x). These valuation metrics are key factors in our Strong Buy Score calculation. See all metrics in the PDF report for comprehensive valuation analysis.