|
High
$964.33
Open
$961.52
Market Cap
415.63B
52W High
$1,096.50
Low
$944.24
P. Close
$945.57
P/E
47.03
52W Low
$844.06
Fwd P/E
41.75
DailyIQ Est.
$1123.36
Technical Score (1D)
64
BUY
News Sentiment
40
BEARISH
Costco’s 22nd consecutive dividend hike to $1.47 a quarter, raising the annual payout to $5.88, signals continued confidence in its membership‑only model and a stable revenue base, with renewal rates above 92 % in the U.S. and Canada. The dividend increase, announced 18 hours ago, reinforces the company’s long‑term financial strength and may support a steady earnings trajectory over the next few weeks. In the same timeframe, Costco’s inclusion in the Invesco QQQ Trust was highlighted, noting that the retailer’s consumer‑defensive weight dilutes QQQ’s tech bias and could affect the ETF’s performance for investors seeking pure tech exposure. This dual narrative—solid dividend growth and a shift in ETF composition—suggests that Costco’s stock may serve as a defensive anchor within a broader tech‑heavy portfolio. Traders should monitor QQQ’s net asset value and sector weighting adjustments in the coming days, as any rebalancing could alter the fund’s risk profile. Additionally, the sustained dividend growth may influence the company’s capital allocation decisions, potentially impacting future share buyback or debt‑repayment plans. Watch for Costco’s quarterly earnings release, which will confirm whether revenue growth continues to outpace inflationary pressures. Finally, keep an eye on QQQ’s mandate mandates mandating mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory.
COST|Earnings Snapshot
COST|Earnings Snapshot
Earnings Summary
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a global network of membership‑based warehouses that offer a wide assortment of merchandise at competitive prices, including groceries, appliances, apparel, and ancillary services such as gasoline stations and pharmacies, positioning it as a leading discount retailer in the consumer defensive sector. In the most recent fiscal year, Costco’s Q1 2025 revenue of $63.723 billion was slightly lower than Q2 2025’s $63.205 billion, but the company’s Q3 2025 revenue surged to $86.156 billion, reflecting a strong seasonal lift, while Q4 2025 revenue fell to $67.307 billion; EPS followed a similar pattern, with Q1 2025 EPS of $4.02 missing estimates, but Q2, Q3, and Q4 2025 EPS of $4.28, $5.87, and $4.50 respectively beating analyst expectations, giving the firm a 3‑of‑4 quarter earnings beat streak. Historically, the company’s revenue trajectory has accelerated into 2026, with Q3 2026 revenue estimates of $94.316 billion and Q4 2026 estimates of $96.425 billion, while EPS estimates rise from $5.87 in Q3 2025 to $6.545 in Q3 2026 and $6.552 in Q4 2026, underscoring a consistent upward trend in profitability despite occasional revenue dips. Recent news highlights a 22nd consecutive dividend hike to $1.47 per quarter, reinforcing confidence in Costco’s membership‑only model and a stable revenue base, while the retailer’s inclusion in the Invesco QQQ Trust signals its role as a defensive anchor in a tech‑heavy portfolio; however, rising inflation is prompting consumers to cut back on bulk grocery purchases, potentially compressing same‑store sales and membership renewal rates, and a pending class‑action lawsuit over alleged heavy metals in a protein powder could introduce margin pressure and regulatory scrutiny. Investors should watch for Q4 2026 earnings to confirm whether revenue growth continues to outpace inflationary pressures, monitor membership renewal trends and ancillary sales from the new standalone gas station, and keep an eye on the progress of the lawsuit and any regulatory filings that could impact operating margins.
EPS
EstBeatMiss
| Qtr | Est | Actual | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3'26 | $6.55 | - | - |
| Q4'25 | $4.28 | $4.50 | +5.2% |
| Q3'25 | $5.81 | $5.87 | +1.1% |
| Q2'25 | $4.23 | $4.28 | +1.2% |
| Q1'25 | $4.10 | $4.02 | -1.9% |
Revenue
EstBeatMiss
| Qtr | Est | Actual | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3'26 | $94.3B | - | - |
| Q4'25 | - | $67.3B | - |
| Q3'25 | - | $86.2B | - |
| Q2'25 | - | $63.2B | - |
| Q1'25 | - | $63.7B | - |
Market Data
COST Stock Snapshot
COST is currently trading at $946.39, giving Costco Wholesale Corporation a market cap of 415.63B and a P/E ratio of 47.0. Today's range spans $944.24–$964.33, with shares opening at $961.52 and moving up $0.82 (0.1%) from the prior close. DailyIQ's technical score sits at 64/100 (HOLD) with a news sentiment reading of 40/100.
Over the past year COST has traded between $844.06 and $1096.50 - the current price is +12.1% off the 52-week low and -13.7% from the high. 46 analysts cover the stock with a Buy consensus and a mean 12-month target of $1080.33 (range $740.00–$1315.00), implying upside of +14.2%.
COST is in a holding pattern - 64/100 technical score, HOLD signal, price at $946.39 (in the lower half of its 52-week range), sentiment bearish at 40/100. (P/E: 47.0) At 415.63B in Consumer Defensive market cap, HOLD phases like this are where the thesis is re-evaluated and position sizing decisions get made by both longs and shorts. Annual range: $844.06–$1096.50. The next catalyst, not the current setup, determines the exit from this range.
Portfolio construction in Consumer Defensive often uses large-cap names like COST as tactical swing positions during neutral phases: cheap enough to overweight, liquid enough to exit quickly, and large enough to provide meaningful sector beta. The current 64/100 (HOLD) at $946.39 (in the lower half of its 52-week range) and bearish sentiment (40/100) frame the position as a catalyst play within the $844.06–$1096.50 annual range rather than a directional bet.