Core Insights - Costco has launched an exclusive Nike collaboration sneaker, the Nike SB Dunk Low x Kirkland Signature Exclusive, which has generated significant excitement among customers and the resale market [1][11] - The sneaker was released at select locations in New York, Oregon, California, and Washington for a retail price of $134.99 [1] - The resale value of the sneaker has surged to approximately 200% or more, with prices ranging from $400 to $1,000 on platforms like StockX, eBay, and GOAT [2] Product Details - The sneakers feature Kirkland emblems and are designed in a gray colorway, resembling sweatshirt material, with an inner lining that mimics the texture of worn sweaters [5] - The design includes a label on the reverse side of the tongue that resembles Costco's in-store price tags, indicating a retail price of $135.00, which may suggest low stock availability [7] - The insole displays a large Kirkland logo, and the reverse side features an image of Costco's hot dogs with a price tag of $1.50 [9] Market Response - Over the weekend, 660 pairs of the sneakers were resold on StockX, with the highest sale reaching $600 [10] - The sudden release follows a previous leak of the collaboration, which had left fans speculating about various aspects of the product [11]

Market Performance - S&P 500 increased by 0.3% while Nasdaq decreased by 0.2% this week[1] - Small-cap stocks led the decline with Russell 2000 value down by 1.0% and Russell 2000 growth down by 3.1%[1] - Key sectors showing gains include telecommunications (+9.0%) and technology hardware (+4.6%) while software and services fell by 6.9%[1] Fund Flows - Estimated fund flow for S&P 500 components was -$84.1 million this week, a significant drop from +$5.6 million last week[2] - Major inflows were seen in technology hardware (+$40.3 million) and media and entertainment (+$39.5 million) while software and services experienced outflows of -$106.0 million[2] Earnings Forecast - S&P 500's forward 12-month EPS expectation increased by 0.8% this week, up from 0.2% last week[3] - Notable upward revisions were in technology hardware (+5.6%) and automotive (+3.2%) sectors, while energy saw a downward revision of -2.7%[3] Risk Factors - Economic fundamentals, international political uncertainties, U.S. fiscal policy, and Federal Reserve monetary policy present significant risks[3]

Market Performance - S&P 500 increased by 0.3% while Nasdaq decreased by 0.2% this week[1] - Small-cap stocks led the decline with Russell 2000 value down by 1.0% and Russell 2000 growth down by 3.1%[1] - 13 sectors saw gains, while 10 sectors experienced losses, with telecommunications leading at +9.0%[1] Fund Flows - Estimated fund flow for S&P 500 components was -$84.1 million this week, down from +$5.6 million last week[2] - Major inflows were seen in technology hardware (+$40.3 million) and media & entertainment (+$39.5 million)[2] - Significant outflows occurred in software & services (-$106.0 million) and healthcare equipment & services (-$57.7 million)[2] Earnings Forecast - S&P 500's forward 12-month EPS expectation increased by 0.8% this week, up from 0.2% last week[3] - 21 sectors had upward revisions, with technology hardware & equipment seeing the largest increase at +5.6%[3] - Energy sector saw a downward revision of -2.7%[3] Risks - Economic fundamentals, international political situations, U.S. fiscal policies, and Federal Reserve monetary policies present uncertainties[3]

Core Insights - Costco and Walmart are the two largest retailers globally, with Walmart operating big box and grocery stores, while Costco focuses solely on club stores [1] - Both companies are currently considered expensive, with price-to-sales, price-to-earnings, and price-to-book ratios above their five-year averages and the market's average [1] Valuation and Investment Appeal - Value investors are likely to avoid both stocks due to their high valuation metrics, with Walmart's P/E ratio exceeding the market average [1] - Dividend investors may also be disinterested, as Walmart's dividend yield is 0.8% and Costco's is even lower at 0.5%, both below the S&P 500's yield of 1.1% [2] Growth Potential - Growth investors may find Costco more appealing due to its ongoing geographic expansion, despite Walmart's larger size [3] Company Performance Metrics - Costco's current price is $940.10, with a market cap of $417 billion, a gross margin of 12.88%, and a dividend yield of 0.68% [5] - Walmart's current price is $119.13, with a market cap of $950 billion, a gross margin of 23.90%, and a dividend yield of 0.79% [6][7] Business Model and Long-term Outlook - Costco's membership fees contribute significantly to its gross profits, allowing for lower product margins and higher member retention [5] - Walmart benefits from consumers trading down to its stores due to economic conditions, but this could change if the economy improves [7] - Both companies are well-managed, but their current valuations make them less attractive for many investors, with Costco's business model seen as better positioned for long-term success [8]

Core Insights - The market is showing renewed interest in Costco Wholesale, with the stock up 13% in January 2026 after a stagnant previous year [1] - Costco's membership model continues to attract customers, leading to high renewal rates and robust profitability [1] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Costco reported an 8.2% year-over-year increase in sales, with comparable sales rising 6.4% [2] - Digitally enabled sales surged by 20.5%, and earnings per share increased from $4.04 to $4.50 [2] - Membership renewal rates were 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada, and 89.7% worldwide, with paid memberships growing by 5.2% to 81.4 million [2] Business Model Adaptation - The company is evolving its business model by introducing self-checkout options and online registration and renewals [3] - While traditional e-commerce does not align well with Costco's warehouse model, the company is expanding grocery delivery through a partnership with Instacart and enhancing curbside pickup services [3] Market Response - Costco's monthly updates are well-received, with December sales showing an 8.5% year-over-year increase and comparable sales up 7% [4] - The stock has a market capitalization of $417 billion, with a current price of $940.10 and a P/E ratio of 52, indicating a premium valuation [6] Investment Considerations - Despite its reliable growth, Costco's stock is considered expensive, with a P/E ratio above 60 last year, which led to a market correction [6] - Currently trading at 52 times trailing-12-month earnings, the stock may appear less attractive, but long-term investors might consider dollar-cost averaging to capitalize on future growth [7]

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 ...