Core Viewpoint - U.S. stock futures are trading lower, with several companies reporting earnings that may influence investor sentiment today [1] Company Summaries - **Ciena Corp. (NYSE:CIEN)**: Expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share on revenue of $1.28 billion. Shares rose 1.2% to $224.50 in after-hours trading [1] - **Oracle Corp. (NYSE:ORCL)**: Reported second-quarter revenue of $16.06 billion, missing estimates of $16.21 billion. Adjusted earnings grew 54% year-over-year to $2.26 per share, exceeding estimates of $1.64 per share. Shares dipped 11.5% to $197.30 in after-hours trading [1] - **Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)**: Analysts expect quarterly earnings of $1.86 per share on revenue of $17.1491 billion. Shares fell 0.8% to $409.70 in after-hours trading [1] - **Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE)**: Reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and projected fiscal 2026 GAAP EPS of $17.90 to $18.10, surpassing the $16.56 analyst estimate. Shares slipped 0.8% to $340.40 in after-hours trading [1] - **Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST)**: Expected to report quarterly earnings of $4.28 per share on revenue of $67.17 billion. Shares gained 0.1% to $875.28 in after-hours trading [1]

Core Viewpoint - A decline in membership renewal rates and rising concerns regarding operating costs are negatively impacting the retailer's outlook after a period of strong performance [1] Group 1 - Membership renewal rates have dipped, indicating potential challenges in customer retention [1] - There are increasing concerns about operating costs, which may affect profitability and operational efficiency [1] - The retailer has experienced years of significant outperformance, but current trends suggest a shift in this trajectory [1]

Core Viewpoint - Costco's recent stock performance has lagged behind the broader market, but a deeper analysis reveals that it has outperformed over the long term [1]. Short-Term Performance - An investment of $10,000 in Costco stock six months ago would have decreased to $8,769, reflecting a total return of negative-12.3% and an annualized return of negative-22.8% [2]. - In contrast, a similar investment in the S&P 500 index would have grown to $11,480, while the Nasdaq-100 index would have reached $11,820 [3]. Long-Term Performance - Over a three-year period, Costco investors have outperformed the S&P 500, although keeping pace with the Nasdaq-100 during the AI boom has been more challenging [5]. - If the investment in Costco stock was held for five years, it would have outperformed both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq-100 [8]. Valuation and Economic Environment - Costco's stock was trading at a high valuation of 95 times free cash flow (FCF) in spring 2025, but has since decreased to a multiple of 50, which is still considered high for value investors [10]. - The company faces challenges from increasing operating costs due to tariffs and inflation, impacting its low-margin warehouse retail model [11]. Financial Performance and Investor Sentiment - Despite the stock's price dip, Costco's financial results are strong, with trailing-12-month sales up 19% compared to three years ago and FCF nearly tripling [13]. - Supporters of Costco view the current price dip as a buying opportunity, emphasizing the company's resilience in various economic conditions [14].

Retail giant Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) could highlight the impact of tariffs on business when the company reports first-quarter financial results Thursday after market close.Here are the earnings estimates, what experts are saying before the report and the key items to watch.Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Costco to report first-quarter revenue of $67.17 billion, up from $62.15 billion in last year's first quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro.The company has beaten analyst estim ...

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale is set to announce earnings on December 11, 2025, with a market capitalization of $394 billion and revenue of $275 billion over the past 12 months, resulting in an operating profit of $10 billion and net income of $8.1 billion [3]. Historical Performance - Over the past five years, Costco has recorded 19 earnings data points, yielding 12 positive and 7 negative one-day (1D) returns, resulting in a positive return rate of approximately 63%. This rate decreases to 55% when examining the last three years [9]. - The median of the 12 positive returns is 2.4%, while the median of the 7 negative returns is -2.4% [9]. Trading Strategies - Two approaches are suggested for event-driven trading: familiarizing with historical odds and positioning ahead of the earnings announcement, or observing the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns post-earnings to inform positioning after results are disclosed [4]. - A low-risk strategy involves understanding the correlation between short-term (1D) and medium-term (5D) returns post-earnings, allowing traders to take a "long" position for the subsequent 5 days if the 1D post-earnings return is positive [6]. Peer Comparison - The performance of peers can influence post-earnings stock reactions, with historical data showing Costco's stock performance compared to peers reporting earnings just prior [7]. - For smoother investment options, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, which includes 30 stocks, has consistently outperformed benchmarks like the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices [8].

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 02: Customers walk in the parking lot outside a Costco store on December 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Getty ImagesCostco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) is scheduled to announce its earnings on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The company currently has a market capitalization of $394 Billion. Revenue over the past twelve months has reached $275 Billion, with operational profits of $10 Billion and net income of $8.1 Billion. Although much will depend on h ...

Costco's Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue is estimated at $67.28 billion, marking an 8.3% increase year-over-year, with an EPS forecast of $4.25.The company's net sales have risen by 8.2% to $65.98 billion, driven by robust comparable sales and a significant 20.5% growth in digital sales.Costco's financial stability is highlighted by a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 48.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, indicating strong investor confidence and financial health.Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ ...

Group 1 - Walmart has shown strong performance, breaking through the $110 resistance level recently, and is expected to continue its upward trend, with a target of $130 [2][3] - Costco, in contrast, has been in a topping formation for the last 18 months and is considered oversold in the short term, with a target around $800 [3][5] - The consumer sector is showing strength, as indicated by the XRT index reaching highs without contributions from Amazon or Costco, suggesting a robust consumer sentiment [4] Group 2 - Walmart's revenue growth is outpacing that of Costco, making it a more attractive investment option, especially if valuations were equal [8] - There are opportunities for investors to buy Walmart shares, particularly after a period of consolidation [9]

Core Insights - The Q3 earnings season has shown solid results, with a projected 13.4% increase in earnings per share for S&P 500 companies, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth [2] - Analysts had initially expected a lower earnings growth of 7.9% for Q3, indicating a significant positive surprise in the actual results [3] Group 1: Company Earnings Reports - Oracle (ORCL) is one of the major companies yet to report its Q3 results, following a strong second quarter that showcased its leadership in AI and a substantial cloud backlog [1][4] - Specialty retailers such as GameStop (GME), AutoZone (AZO), and Chewy (CHWY) are expected to report their results soon, which will provide insights into consumer spending trends [4] - Adobe (ADBE) and Broadcom (AVGO) are also set to report their earnings next week, concluding the Q3 reporting season [5]

Cramer highlighted Costco’s membership model, which drives consistent revenue, with renewal rates consistently above 90%. This cash flow stability supports its dividend growth, making it a favorite for income investors. He also noted Costco’s resilience in inflationary environments, as its bulk-buying model and private-label Kirkland brand keep costs low and margins strong. Cramer sees Costco’s ability to thrive amid economic shifts -- whether inflation or consumer caution -- as a reason to buy, especially ...