These blue chip stocks are leaders within their respective industries.One thing that can make investing seem daunting and intimidating is how quickly things change in the markets. Knowing which stocks to own and which ones are hot buys right now can turn investing into a part-time job. But if you stick with large, established businesses that have bright futures, it doesn't have to be that complicated or difficult. There are many investments you can buy and hold for years and not worry about.Three stocks tha ...

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale's stock has increased by 614% over the last decade, significantly outperforming competitors like Walmart and Target, which saw increases of 170% and 155% respectively [1] - The company has a strong customer loyalty with a 90% global membership renewal rate, contributing to its reputation as a reliable long-term investment option [1] Membership Fee Increase - Costco announced its first membership fee hike in seven years, raising the basic membership by $5 to $65 and the executive tier by $10 to $130, effective September 1 [3] - This change is expected to impact approximately 52 million paid memberships, potentially leading to a significant earnings boost [3] - The company has implemented additional measures to promote revenue growth, such as requiring membership cards for food court access and I.D. at the register to prevent membership sharing [3] E-commerce Expansion - Costco operates 878 locations worldwide and has opened 17 new warehouses since last year, with over 80% of its stores in North America, indicating potential for further expansion [5] - The e-commerce segment saw a revenue increase of 21% in the fiscal third quarter of 2024, alongside a 32% rise in app downloads and a 28% increase in Costco Logistics deliveries [5] - The global e-commerce market is projected to grow from $19 trillion in 2022 to $48 trillion by 2030, presenting significant growth opportunities for Costco [6] Advertising Network Development - Costco is developing an advertising network that will leverage membership data for targeted advertising, aiming to enhance revenue diversification [6] - The retail media space is projected to reach $166 billion by 2025, positioning Costco to capitalize on this growing industry [7] Valuation Metrics - Costco's price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio has decreased by 58% over the past year, indicating that the stock remains a value compared to its growth potential [8] - A lower PEG ratio suggests that Costco's stock could be a worthwhile investment opportunity [8]

Group 1 - Costco is currently outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector with a year-to-date return of 28.6%, compared to the sector's average return of 13.8% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco's full-year earnings has increased by 0.9% over the past 90 days, indicating improved analyst sentiment [2] - Costco holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a positive outlook for the stock [1][2] Group 2 - Costco is part of the Retail - Discount Stores industry, which ranks 60 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 18.3% this year [3] - Walmart, another outperforming stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector, has a year-to-date return of 32.5% and belongs to the Retail - Supermarkets industry, currently ranked 19 [2][3] - Both Costco and Walmart are expected to continue their strong performance, making them noteworthy for investors in the Retail-Wholesale sector [3]

After seven years, it's raising its membership fee.It was the announcement investors had been waiting for. Last week, Costco Wholesale (COST 0.69%) finally said that it would raise its membership fee by $5 starting Sept. 1.That increase isn't likely to affect members. But $5 extra for every single one of Costco's tens of millions of members is a lot of money for the company. Let's see how much, and why investors are greeting this news so enthusiastically.Why raise it now?Costco last raised its fee in 2017, ...

Costco is increasing membership prices and that could be a huge boon to the bottom line.Costco's (COST 0.69%) membership model is a great example of a business that's nearly impossible for competitors to copy. Once members commit to the annual fee, they have an incentive to spend more at Costco than competitors because of the low prices. But to boost profits Costco needs to increase its membership fees, which it just did. Travis Hoium examines the move in this video.*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) continues to impress investors and shoppers alike with its robust business model and strategic pricing. The company's membership-based approach and commitment to offering high-quality products at unbeatable prices have positioned it as a leader in the sector.Robust Membership ModelCostco's success lies in its membership-based business model, which generates a reliable revenue stream and fosters strong customer loyalty. Members pay an annual fee for access to Costco's ware ...

A sea change in the market might be starting to occur. The June Consumer Price Index showed that inflation in the U.S. declined to an annualized rate of 3%, its lowest level in three years.That increased the likelihood that the U.S. Federal Reserve will start lowering interest rates in coming months. It also seems to have prompted a rotation out of the mega-cap technology stocks that dominated the market rally in the year’s first half.While it’s difficult to predict exactly where the market is headed as we ...

Retailers' profits are seeing a pinch as inflation cools — and in some categories, even reverses.For Costco, raising membership fees can offset some of that deflationary bite.The wholesale club prides itself on ultra-low markups, and membership fees help it do that. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Email addre ...

Stick to long-term investing and you'll be thrilled with Costco stock.Costco (COST -0.44%) stock is an investor favorite. It's a reliable, market-beating stock, and it pays a dividend, has a self-generating revenue model and plenty of expansion opportunities.Wall Street analysts, though, don't see too much upside over the next 12 to 18 months, possibly because the stock keeps climbing and has become highly valued. But you might want to consider buying it anyway.The self-generating revenue modelI don't think ...

Key TakeawaysCostco increased its membership fees earlier this week for the first time in seven years.The warehouse store already had higher fees than competitors BJ's and Sam's Club. The warehouse memberships also include deals on gas and other benefits. Costco (COST) on Wednesday announced its first membership-price increase in seven years. Members are looking at a $5 increase, to $65 annually, for the Gold Star membership and a $10 increase, to $130, for the Executive membership. The increase will take ...