Both Costco (COST 0.01%) and Amazon (AMZN +3.51%) have delivered growth to investors over time. They each sell a wide variety of grocery and essential items as well as general merchandise -- though Costco is present in e-commerce, the lion's share of its business is through its warehouses. And though Amazon owns physical stores -- Whole Foods markets -- its main retail business is e-commerce.Which of these two retail leaders makes the better stock to buy right now? Let's find out. The case for CostcoCostco ...

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is viewed positively by analysts, with Jim Cramer recommending it as a stock to buy in the current economic environment, highlighting its resilience amidst broader market challenges [1][3] - The company operates membership warehouses and offers a wide range of products including groceries, fresh food, household goods, electronics, and services through pharmacies, gas stations, and e-commerce [3] - Cramer emphasizes that Costco, along with Walmart, represents strong investment opportunities during difficult economic times, suggesting that the company is positioned to be a significant winner [1]

Better Stock To Buy In 2026: Costco or Walmart - 24/7 Wall St. S&P 5006,435.70 +1.36% Dow Jones45,640.20 +0.83% Nasdaq 10023,328.60 +1.63% FTSE 10010,195.20 +1.13% Better Stock To Buy In 2026: Costco or Walmart By Vandita JadejaPublished Mar 31, 10:42AM EDT Russell 20002,449.63 +1.48% Nikkei 22551,752.30 +1.42% Stock Market Live March 31, 2026: S&P 500 (SPY) Pops on News Trump Could End War Investing Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free toolcan match you with a financial advisor in m ...

Sales and profit lifts to Costco (COST) from surging gas prices may already be pumped into the retailer's stock price. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, Costco stock has gained 1% — outperforming the S&P 500's (^GSPC) 8.2% drop. The relative outperformance reflects investors rallying around a simple, two-part thesis on Costco. First, spiking gas prices send people to Costco for the cheapest possible gas, which in turn sends them into a Costco store for the cheapest possible groceries. ...

The popular wholesale retailer Costco (COST +1.23%) plans to expand its gasoline offerings beyond its traditional stores and will soon launch stand-alone gas stations that will remain exclusive to its members, who pay a $65 or $130 annual membership fee.The first one is set to launch in Mission Viejo, California, in June with a 40-pump station. Another is slated to open in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2027.Here is what investors need to know. Why Costco is opening stand-alone gas stationsWhile Costco executives have ...

Costco Stock Rallies On Digital Sales, Nears Buy Point | Investor's Business Daily BREAKING: Futures Rise As Trump Sees Iran Exit In 2-3 Weeks Costco Wholesale COST $ 993.10 $3.48 0.35% 35% IBD Stock Analysis IBD Composite Rating 95/99 Industry Group Ranking 37/197 Costco Wholesale Flat Base Flat Base One of three positive chart patterns to look for when doing technical analysis. It usually occurs after a stock has advanced off of a "cup with handle†or "double bottom†pattern. The "flat base†moves str ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco's shares have shown resilience against market downturns, with a 14% increase this year, outperforming the S&P 500 and Walmart, despite rising costs due to geopolitical tensions and inflation [2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Revenue for the 24 months ending February 16 rose 8.6% to $136.9 billion, while membership fees revenue increased by 13.8% to $2.68 billion, and net income grew by 12.5% to $4.04 billion [6]. - Membership fees contribute significantly to Costco's profitability, accounting for 2% of total revenue and 73% of gross profit, with a renewal rate exceeding 90% [5]. Group 2: Competitive Advantages - Costco operates 924 warehouses, including 634 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, allowing it to buy in bulk and maintain lower prices [3]. - The presence of gas stations at Costco locations helps keep gas prices below market rates, encouraging cross-shopping among members [3]. - The in-house brand, Kirkland, provides additional discounts to shoppers, enhancing customer loyalty and value [4]. Group 3: Market Outlook - Rising costs due to inflation and supply chain disruptions are anticipated, particularly in gasoline prices, but Costco is well-positioned to manage these challenges [6].

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation's warehouse expansion strategy is central to its long-term growth, with plans to open 28 new warehouses in fiscal 2026 and over 30 annually in subsequent years, highlighting its commitment to physical expansion as a driver of member engagement and sales growth [1][8] Expansion Plans - In Q2 of fiscal 2026, Costco opened four new warehouses, bringing its global total to 924, with plans to reach 942 by year-end through an additional 18 openings, primarily in the U.S. [2][8] - The company is evolving its real estate strategy, expecting to invest approximately $6.5 billion in capital expenditures this year for new warehouses, depot expansions, and remodeling existing locations [3][8] Operational Efficiency - New warehouses are intended to enhance productivity and alleviate pressure on high-volume locations, aiming to increase shopping frequency, which is viewed as crucial for growth in mature markets [4] Financial Performance - Costco's shares have increased by 4% over the past year, compared to the industry's growth of 16.4%, with competitors Dollar General and Target seeing higher share price increases of 33.3% and 14.8%, respectively [5] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio for Costco is 45.82, significantly higher than the industry average of 32.21, indicating a premium valuation compared to Target and Dollar General [6] Sales and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Costco's sales and earnings per share to grow by 8.3% and 13% year-over-year, respectively, for the current financial year, with further growth of 7.3% in sales and 9.8% in earnings expected for the next fiscal year [9] - Current sales estimates for the fiscal year are projected at $298.07 billion, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 8.3% [10]

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – March 30, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include  Walmart Inc. (WMT) and Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) .Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Walmart or Costco: Who's Winning the Modern Retail Game Right Now?Walmart Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. are two of th ...

Market Overview - The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index are in correction territory, while the S&P 500 is not as of March 27, 2026 [1] - The "Magnificent Seven" stocks have seen double-digit percentage declines year to date, raising questions about which stocks are supporting the S&P 500 [2] Energy Sector Performance - Energy stocks have performed exceptionally well in 2026 due to skyrocketing oil and gas prices following geopolitical tensions, particularly the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran [4] - ExxonMobil and Chevron, both major players in the energy sector, have seen their stock prices increase by approximately 40% year to date, contributing significantly to the S&P 500's performance [5] Consumer Staples Resilience - Inflation concerns have intensified due to rising oil prices, but top consumer staples stocks like Walmart and Costco have benefited, with both companies' stocks up by over 10% year to date [8][9] - Walmart and Costco are positioned just outside the top 10 components of the S&P 500, with their business models proving resilient in inflationary environments [11] Technology Sector Insights - Micron Technology stands out as a notable outlier, with its shares still up year to date despite recent pullbacks, driven by high demand for its memory products used in AI infrastructure [12][13] - Micron's valuation remains attractive, trading at only 7.6 times forward earnings, making it a significant tech stock in the S&P 500 [14] Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The potential for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East could lead to a decline in oil prices, impacting the stocks of ExxonMobil and Chevron [16] - The S&P 500's current stability is not solely due to the performance of the highlighted stocks, as over 100 other stocks have also delivered gains of 10% or more this year [17]