Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is one of the stocks that Jim Cramer shared his take on. A club member asked if Cramer has any reservations about the management change at the company, given that the stock has been a “laggard all year”. Here’s what he had to say in response: “Look, I have concerns about everything… I was watching Costco today versus Walmart. It was really killing me. I know that Richard Galanti has departed as CFO. New CFO, I think does a good job. I know that the monthly signup ...

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Core Insights - Deep-pocketed investors are showing a bullish sentiment towards Costco Wholesale, indicating potential significant market movements ahead [1] - Recent options activity reveals a mixed sentiment among investors, with 46% bullish and 36% bearish, highlighting a notable interest in Costco's options [2] Options Activity - A total of 47 extraordinary options activities for Costco have been tracked, with 9 puts totaling $482,760 and 38 calls amounting to $2,532,218, indicating a strong focus on options trading [2] - The price range targeted by large investors for Costco over the last three months is between $760.0 and $1080.0, suggesting expectations for price movements within this range [3] Volume and Open Interest Analysis - Analyzing the volume and open interest of options can provide insights into liquidity and investor interest, particularly for strike prices between $760.0 and $1080.0 over the past 30 days [4] Company Overview - Costco Wholesale operates a global chain of membership-based warehouse clubs, with approximately 910 warehouses serving over 80 million members, generating significant revenue from grocery offerings and general merchandise [9] - The company has a strong member renewal rate of 93% in the US and Canada, and nearly 90% internationally, reflecting customer loyalty [9] Analyst Ratings - Analysts have set an average price target of $1008.0 for Costco, with varying ratings: Neutral from DA Davidson, Sell from Roth Capital with a target of $769, Outperform from Telsey Advisory Group with a target of $1100, and Buy from Goldman Sachs with a target of $1171 [10][11] Current Market Position - As of the latest data, Costco's trading volume stands at 730,883, with the stock price at $865.39, reflecting a 0.58% increase [13]

Economic Overview - The U.S. economy is in a transition phase with easing financial conditions and improving consumer sentiment, supported by a recent rate cut from the Federal Reserve aimed at fostering economic growth as inflation moderates [1] - Households remain budget-conscious, creating a favorable environment for discount retailers as consumers seek affordable options [2] Discount Retail Sector Insights - Discount retailers are experiencing a "trade-down" effect, with consumers across various income levels increasingly opting for value-oriented choices, leading to steady foot traffic [2] - Structural advantages such as lean store formats, efficient supply chains, and digitization enhance the responsiveness of discount retailers to consumer demand [3] - Investments in data analytics and AI are optimizing operations and personalizing customer experiences, contributing to margin stability and competitive pricing [3] Future Outlook for Discount Retailers - The outlook for discount retailers is promising as easing monetary policy is expected to positively influence consumer spending and corporate profits by 2026 [4] - Key players identified for potential investment include Ross Stores, Dollar General, Costco, and Burlington Stores, all of which are well-positioned to benefit from cautious consumer spending [4][7] Company-Specific Highlights Ross Stores - Ross Stores is leveraging its off-price model, with strong branded assortments and effective merchandising driving customer engagement and traffic [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 6% growth in sales and 1.7% growth in EPS for the current financial year, with further growth expected in the next fiscal year [6] Dollar General - Dollar General's value-and-convenience proposition is expanding its appeal, supported by strategic initiatives that enhance profitability and cash generation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 4.7% growth in sales and 6.6% growth in EPS for the current financial year, with continued growth anticipated [11] Costco - Costco's membership-driven model is enhancing traffic and brand loyalty, supported by investments in digital capabilities and operational technology [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 7.5% growth in sales and 11.3% growth in EPS for the current financial year, with similar growth expected in the next fiscal year [15] Burlington Stores - Burlington Stores is making progress in its off-price transformation, with strong demand and a robust pipeline of new store openings [18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates an 8% growth in sales and 18.4% growth in EPS for the current financial year, with further growth projected [19]

Market Analysis by covering: Costco Wholesale Corp. Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is included among the 15 Best Blue-Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends. Costco (COST) Target Lowered at Truist on Valuation Concerns Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash On December 12, Truist analyst Scot Ciccarelli cut Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) price target to $926 from $1,033 and kept a Hold rating. He noted the company had another solid quarter, with US comps up 5.9% and enterprise comps up 6.4%. Membership growth is still healthy at 5.2%, but it ...

Core Insights - Expectations of stable economic growth and improving financial conditions are influencing investor strategies as they approach 2026 [1] - Blue-chip retail stocks like Walmart, Costco, and Lowe's are gaining attention due to their operational resilience and steady earnings performance [1] Economic Context - The economic growth in 2025 moderated as the transition from post-pandemic momentum to sustainable expansion occurred, with business investment softening and global trade remaining uneven [2] - Ongoing policy uncertainties regarding taxation and tariffs led many firms to delay major capital expenditures [2] - Inflation remained above the Federal Reserve's long-term target, prompting cautious interest rate cuts to ease financial conditions [3] Market Performance - Equity markets showed positive sentiment with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining approximately 14%, the S&P 500 advancing about 16%, and the Nasdaq Composite rising 19% year-to-date [4] Blue-Chip Retail Stocks - Blue-chip retail stocks are characterized by financial strength and a history of reliable returns, making them less volatile and dependable for investors [5] - These retailers possess strong market positions, brand recognition, and loyal customer bases, providing a competitive edge and growth opportunities [6] Company-Specific Insights Walmart - Walmart is enhancing its omnichannel retail position through technology, e-commerce, and high-margin profit streams [10] - The company has a market capitalization of $931.1 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of about $0.24 per share, with a payout ratio of 37% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 4.9% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 4.5% in sales and 4.8% in EPS for the current financial year [11] Costco - Costco's membership-driven model is driving strong traffic and brand loyalty, supported by digital capabilities and operational technology [12] - The company has a market cap of $382 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, with a payout ratio of 28% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 13.7% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates growth of 7.5% in sales and 11.3% in EPS for the current financial year [13] Lowe's - Lowe's is implementing a Total Home Strategy to enhance its competitive position through improved Pro capabilities and online experience [14] - The company has a market cap of $139.6 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, with a payout ratio of 39% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 15.6% [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 2.9% in sales and 2.2% in EPS for the current financial year [15]

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) reported its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, highlighting stable growth and a loyal membership base, which has historically allowed it to navigate economic challenges better than competitors [1] Financial Performance - Shares of Costco fell 2.7% post-earnings release due to a top-line miss, despite year-over-year improvements in revenues and earnings driven by membership growth, resilient traffic, e-commerce gains, and margin expansion [2] - Comparable sales, excluding gasoline prices and foreign exchange impacts, rose 6.4%, with U.S. comparable sales increasing by 5.9%, and Canada and Other International markets seeing gains of 9% and 6.8%, respectively [2] - Membership fee income grew 14% year over year to $1,329 million, benefiting from strong renewal rates and a recent membership fee increase [7] Membership Growth - Costco ended the quarter with 81.4 million paid members, a 5.2% increase from the previous year, with executive memberships rising 9.1% to 39.7 million, accounting for 74.3% of worldwide sales [3] - The renewal rate remained strong at 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada, and 89.7% worldwide, reflecting member loyalty [5] Digital and Operational Expansion - Digitally enabled sales surged 20.5%, supported by a 24% increase in website traffic and a 48% rise in app engagement [9] - Management highlighted improvements in checkout productivity and AI-driven inventory systems, which enhanced in-stock levels to over 98% [9] - Costco plans to sustain over 30 net warehouse openings annually, balancing growth between U.S. and international markets [8] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - Costco's sales figures are part of a competitive retail environment, with rivals like Ross Stores, Dollar General, and Target enhancing their offerings and supply-chain efficiencies [11] - Costco's stock is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 41.81, higher than the industry average of 30.15 and the S&P 500's 23.35 [14] Investment Outlook - Despite Costco's strong brand and membership base, its recent stock underperformance relative to the industry suggests caution, as high valuations may lead to pullbacks with minor setbacks [15] - For existing investors, holding the stock is advisable due to its long-term strength, while potential investors may consider waiting for a more attractive entry point [16]

Consumer Sentiment and Spending Trends - U.S. consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level in over three years in early November, but there was a slight uptick in December [3] - Despite economic worries, nearly 203 million U.S. shoppers participated in the holiday shopping period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, marking the highest turnout in at least nine years [5] - Retail sales have shown resilience, with many retailers exceeding quarterly sales expectations, indicating steady consumer demand [6][7] Retail Performance and Consumer Behavior - Big-box retailers like Walmart and Costco reported strong sales, while discretionary retailers also exceeded expectations, suggesting a consistent consumer spending pattern [6][7] - Lower-income consumers have remained resilient, continuing to spend despite economic pressures, while higher-income consumers have supported retail sales through rising home values and stock market gains [8][9] - Retailers have noted that consumers are selective in their spending, often seeking deals and discounts, which has driven strong turnout during promotional sales [13][14] Economic Indicators and Retail Forecasts - Retail sales have consistently grown nearly or more than 4% year-over-year, surpassing earlier predictions of 2.7% to 3.7% growth [19] - Holiday hiring by retailers is expected to be the lowest in at least 15 years, reflecting caution in managing costs amid economic uncertainty [20] - Retailers are experiencing a divide between winners and losers, with those executing well capturing the dollars of selective shoppers [24] Price Dynamics and Consumer Spending - Some retail spending growth has been attributed to price hikes, as consumers are motivated to purchase before further price increases occur [14][15] - The disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual spending behavior has been noted, with higher-income households continuing to spend despite low sentiment [16][17] - Retailers have been able to offer deals due to excess inventory purchased earlier in the year, which may lead to a strong start to the holiday season but a weaker end [30] Conclusion on Consumer Outlook - The current economic environment has led consumers to make trade-offs, seeking value while still engaging in holiday spending [27][28] - The overall sentiment suggests a paradox where consumers feel uncertain yet continue to spend, driven by the emotional significance of the holiday season [29][31]

Roth Capital将开市客的目标价从906美元下调至769美元，评级从"中性"下调至"卖出"。(格隆汇) ...