Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
NASDAQ · Consumer Staples · analysed October 12, 2026
Costco Wholesale Corporation is a multinational retailer founded in 1983 that operates an international network of membership-only warehouse clubs. The company offers a broad selection of bulk groceries, consumer electronics, apparel, and household products at discount prices, alongside specialized services like fuel stations, optical centers, and its Kirkland Signature private label. Currently, Costco is focused on expanding its global physical footprint with new club openings, modernizing its digital and e-commerce platforms, and strengthening supply chain efficiencies to drive continuous membership growth.
Executive summary
Costco continues to demonstrate elite retail execution, generating $303.15 billion in fiscal 2026 revenue with 92.3% North American membership renewal rates and strong monthly comp momentum1,8. Its membership-fee model allows ultra-low merchandise pricing that competitors cannot replicate without impairing their profits1. However, trading at 41.61 times forward earnings against projected earnings growth near 10%, much of this high operational quality is already reflected in the market valuation1,3.
Sources cited here, 3 of 27
- 1investor.costco.com
- 3marketbeat.com
- 8globenewswire.com
Key figures
- Market cap
- $419.9B
- P/E, trailing
- 45.6
- P/E, next 12 months
- 41.6
- Revenue growth, last fiscal year
- 10.1%
- Net margin, last fiscal year
- 3.0%
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