Core Insights - Costco is committed to maintaining low membership prices as a core offering and has made recent changes to enhance membership value [2][3] - The company reported a significant increase in membership fee income, indicating successful retention and growth of its member base [14][17] Membership Improvements - Recent enhancements to Costco's membership include extended opening hours for Executive Members, discounted Instacart membership, and a 5% cash back on gas purchases [3][7] - The basic annual Gold Star membership costs $65, while the Executive membership is $130, offering a 2% annual reward on qualifying purchases [6][17] Membership Growth Metrics - Membership fee income reached $1.329 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, with 39.7 million paid Executive memberships, up 9.1% from the previous year [14][17] - Total paid members increased to 81.4 million, a 5.2% rise year-over-year, and total cardholders reached 145.9 million, up 5.1% [17]

Core Viewpoint - Costco is a leading player in the retail sector, showing significant investment returns over the past decade, outperforming the S&P 500 index [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Performance - Over the past 10 years, Costco has produced a total return of 682%, meaning a $100 investment would be worth $782 today [1]. - Costco's current market capitalization stands at $417 billion, with shares trading at a price of $940.10 [3][4]. Group 2: Business Fundamentals - The company has expanded its global presence with over 900 warehouses, leading to increased merchandise sales and a larger membership base [2]. - Costco is experiencing higher net income due to its growth in warehouse numbers and customer loyalty [2]. Group 3: Stock Valuation - Costco's shares are currently considered expensive, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 52, suggesting that investors should wait for a pullback before considering an investment [4].

Group 1 - Jim Cramer has highlighted Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) as one of his favorite stocks despite a 2.7% decline over the past year and an 11.5% increase year-to-date [2] - Wolfe Research indicated that Costco could benefit from $75 billion in tax refunds for households earning less than $200,000 in 2026 [2] - Mizuho raised Costco's share price target to $1,000 from $950 and upgraded the rating to Outperform, citing positive trends in premium member additions and domestic renewals [2] Group 2 - Cramer expressed dissatisfaction with Costco's recent share price performance, stating it needs to go higher as it has stalled at 47 times earnings [3] - There is a belief that some AI stocks may offer greater potential for higher returns compared to Costco, despite its investment potential [3]

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Instacart (NASDAQ: CART) and Costco Wholesale announced the expansion of their North American partnership into Europe, with the launch of Costco's first-ever same-day delivery websites in France and Spain, powered by Instacart's Storefront Pro commerce platform and fulfillment solutions services. Costco members in France and Spain can now shop online and receive delivery through Costco's websites in each country – sameday.costco.fr and sameday.costco.es. T ...

The lawsuit filed last week with the Southern District claims that Costco's promise that its rotisserie chickens contain no preservatives signals to "reasonable consumers"—like the two women who are plaintiffs in the case—that nothing was added to preserve the taste, flavor, texture, or shelflife of the product. But two preservatives—sodium phosphate and carrageenan—are listed on the ingredient list. Two California shoppers noticed something that might seem obvious in retrospect: To sell an entire, slow- ro ...

Costco has generated fantastic growth over the years, and it can also be an attractive option for dividend investors.Shares of Costco Wholesale (COST 0.98%) have risen by more than 170% in the past five years, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 and its roughly 80% gains over that stretch. The retailer's operations have proven to be resilient, and its steady and calculated growth strategy has paid off.One thing that may not always attract investors' attention, however, is the company's dividend. At just ...

When investing, it's always good to be plunking your hard-earned dollars into companies and industries that you understand. A biotech company may sound exciting, but if you aren't very familiar with that industry, you may not appreciate the risks it faces. One of the most understandable industries is the retail sector, and one of the most solid retailers is Costco (NASDAQ: COST). Image source: Getty Images. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best ...

Costco rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars Costco doesn’t sell its own pet insurance policies. Instead, it partners with Figo pet insurance to offer pet insurance to members. But if you purchase pet insurance from Costco, eligible members can qualify for exclusive discounts, such as 15% off your Figo pet insurance premium and a $25 Costco gift card when you enroll. Editor’s note: Even though Costco pet insurance is offered through Figo, Costco has a higher star rating than Figo because Costco’s rates came in lowe ...

Core Viewpoint - A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Costco, alleging that the company falsely claims its $4.99 rotisserie chickens are free of preservatives, despite containing sodium phosphate and carrageenan [1][2][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, initiated by two California residents, accuses Costco of systematically deceiving consumers and potentially cheating them out of tens to hundreds of millions of dollars [1][10]. - The plaintiffs argue that Costco's marketing strategy exploits the growing consumer demand for "clean label" and preservative-free products, leading customers to purchase the rotisserie chickens under false pretenses [4]. Group 2: Ingredients and Health Concerns - Sodium phosphate and carrageenan, the additives in question, are used to retain moisture and improve texture in the rotisserie chickens, and both are approved by food safety authorities [5][6]. - While these ingredients are permitted, they have been linked to health concerns, such as risks for individuals with kidney disease and potential cardiovascular issues [7][8]. - Studies have shown mixed results regarding the safety of carrageenan, with some linking it to inflammation and digestive problems, while others assert that food-grade carrageenan is safe at typical consumption levels [9]. Group 3: Market Impact - Costco sells over 100 million rotisserie chickens annually, making it one of the most popular prepared foods in the U.S. [10]. - The price of $4.99 has remained unchanged for over a decade, despite inflation and rising costs, contributing to the chicken's status as a cult favorite and a strategic loss leader for the retailer [12].

Disgruntled customers have filed a proposed class action lawsuit accusing wholesale retailer Costco of falsely advertising that its rotisserie chicken contains “no preservatives.” Filed on Jan. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, the complaint, obtained by USA TODAY, alleges that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken contains two added preservatives, sodium phosphate and carrageenan. The proposed class alleges that Costco “has systemically cheated cust ...