Group 1 - The company, owned by Walmart, operates approximately 60 stores in China and is expanding its presence [1] - The e-commerce business of the company is experiencing rapid growth [1]

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shared his take on. During the episode, a caller asked if the stock is back, and Cramer replied: “I was at Costco this weekend, trying to check it out, trying to figure out what the heck is wrong. I think… what’s wrong is the stock got too high. I would’ve thought at 41 times earnings, it’s done going down. That was wrong. We did sell half the position, I can’t believe I sold any of it, for the Charitable Trust. We had to. I don’t ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale Corp. reported strong free cash flow and margins, yet its stock has declined, making it attractive for value investors [1][4]. Financial Performance - Fiscal Q1 revenue ending Nov. 23, 2025, rose by 8.28%, with a 6.4% increase on a comparable basis [4]. - Free cash flow surged by 58.4% year-over-year to $3.162 billion, compared to $1.996 billion in the previous year's Q1 [4]. - Over the last year, free cash flow increased by over 79% to just over $9 billion from just over $5 billion [4]. Free Cash Flow Margins - Q1 2026 free cash flow margin was 4.70%, a 46% improvement from 3.21% a year ago [5]. - Trailing 12 months free cash flow margin was 3.21% of sales, up from 2.85% in FY 2025, indicating a 12.6% improvement [5]. Sales Forecast - Analysts project sales for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2026, to be $297.14 billion, an 8% increase from $275.2 billion for the year ending Aug. 31, 2025 [7]. - For the year ending Aug. 31, 2027, projected sales are $318.18 billion [7]. - For the next 12 months, projected sales are $302.65 billion, representing a 10% increase over FY 2025 [7].

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks with Low Payout Ratios and Strong Upside. Costco’s (COST) Global Growth Story Gains Momentum, Says Northcoast Niloo / Shutterstock.com On December 24, Northcoast upgraded Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) to Buy from Neutral and set a $1,100 price target. Analyst Chuck Cerankosky pointed to Costco’s strong competitive position in the US, along with clear room to expand overseas. He said the company’s internation ...

Core Insights - Costco has demonstrated significant growth since its IPO in 1985, with current net sales reaching $65.98 billion, an increase of 8.2% year over year [2] - The company has expanded its global presence to 921 warehouses and plans to open 28 new stores in fiscal year 2026, with new locations generating an average of $192 million in sales [2] - Costco's membership base has grown to 81.4 million, with a renewal rate of 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada, reflecting strong customer loyalty [3] Financial Performance - Costco's market capitalization stands at $388 billion, with a current share price of $873.35 and a gross margin of 12.88% [3] - The company has increased its dividend by 85% since Berkshire Hathaway sold its shares in 2020, marking 21 consecutive years of annual dividend hikes [7][11] - Share buybacks have been a key strategy, with $2.18 billion repurchased in the 2025 fiscal year, enhancing shareholder value [8][9] Historical Context - An investment of $100 at Costco's IPO would now be worth approximately $86,058, reflecting a 50,858% increase when adjusted for stock splits [10] - Initial dividends paid in 2004 were $0.10 per share, and current annual dividends for early investors amount to $1,329 [11][12] Competitive Position - Despite challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retailers, Costco has successfully raised prices and maintained growth, contrasting with competitors like Kohl's and Macy's [3][4] - The company's commitment to low prices and customer satisfaction has garnered admiration from notable investors, including the late Charlie Munger of Berkshire Hathaway [6]

Core Viewpoint - A significant theft of a $400,000 shipment of lobster intended for Costco has raised concerns about the increasing trend of freight thefts involving impersonation of legitimate carriers [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Details - The stolen shipment of lobsters was valued at $400,000 (£295,000) and was being transported by Rexing Companies to Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota [1]. - The lobsters were picked up in Taunton, Massachusetts, but never reached their destination [1]. Group 2: Company Impact - The president of Rexing Companies, Dylan Rexing, stated that the theft was not random and is part of a growing pattern where criminals impersonate legitimate carriers [2]. - The loss from this theft is described as "significant" for Rexing Companies, which is based in Indiana [2]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The theft is expected to drive up costs across the supply chain, which will ultimately affect consumers [3]. - The FBI is currently investigating the incident, highlighting the seriousness of the issue [3]. - Rexing emphasized the need for federal agencies to have modern enforcement tools to combat organized criminal networks effectively [3][4]. - Without improved enforcement, such thefts are likely to continue disrupting businesses and impacting everyday prices [4].

Core Insights - The article compares two ETFs targeting the U.S. consumer staples sector: Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP), highlighting their differences in portfolio structure, yield, and liquidity [4][5][10]. Group 1: Portfolio Structure - FSTA holds 104 stocks with a sector tilt of 98% towards consumer defensive, providing broader diversification compared to XLP, which has only 36 holdings [1][8]. - XLP's top holdings include Walmart, Costco Wholesale, and The Procter & Gamble Co., which constitute a significant portion of its assets, indicating a concentrated investment approach [2][5]. - FSTA's top five holdings represent a larger percentage of its total portfolio compared to XLP, making it somewhat top-heavy [9]. Group 2: Yield and Expense Ratio - Both ETFs charge a low expense ratio of 0.08%, but XLP offers a higher yield of 2.7% compared to FSTA's 2.3%, appealing to income-focused investors [3][5]. Group 3: Liquidity and Size - XLP has $14.9 billion in assets under management (AUM), making it larger and more liquid than FSTA, which may benefit investors looking for ease in executing large trades [2][8]. - The greater liquidity of XLP is a significant advantage over FSTA, despite both ETFs covering the same defensive sector [5][10].

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is included among the 13 Best Debt Free Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Wells Fargo Trims Costco (COST) Target Amid Mixed Retail Backdrop Niloo / Shutterstock.com On December 19, Wells Fargo analyst Edward Kelly lowered the firm’s price target on Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) to $900 from $1,000 and kept an Equal Weight rating. The firm sees a mixed setup for 2026 across the group, though opportunity remains. Wells is constructive on broadlines and foo ...

Key Takeaways Costco benefits from recurring membership fees, strong renewals and efficient inventory turnover.Digital comps at Costco rose more than 20%, supported by higher traffic and app engagement.Target is investing $5B in FY26 to upgrade stores, fulfillment and larger-format locations.Target Corporation (TGT) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) are two of the most prominent names in the U.S. discount retail space, serving value-conscious consumers. Target, with a market capitalization of around $ ...

Core Insights - Costco's business model is centered around membership, which generates a reliable revenue stream and fosters strong customer loyalty [2][3] - The company has seen significant growth in membership numbers, with total paid members reaching 81.4 million, a 5.2% increase year-over-year [8] - Costco's performance has been bolstered by the current economic climate, as high prices encourage more consumers to seek membership and purchase goods at discounted rates [4][11] Membership and Revenue - Membership fees are a crucial source of revenue, allowing Costco to maintain lower prices on merchandise compared to traditional retailers [3] - Membership income grew by 7.3% year-over-year, driven by an increase in the membership base and upgrades to higher-tier memberships [7] - The company reported net sales of $65.98 billion for the first quarter, an 8.2% increase from $60.99 billion the previous year [5] Economic Positioning - Analysts suggest that Costco is well-positioned to thrive in a struggling economy, alongside competitors like Amazon and Walmart, due to its focus on value and consumer staples [11] - The economic downturn may lead to increased membership sign-ups as consumers look for cost-effective shopping options [4][12] - Historical data indicates that during economic crises, Costco's revenue may drop due to a shift in product mix towards lower-margin items, although customer visits remain strong [13] Performance Metrics - At the end of Q1, Costco had 39.7 million paid executive memberships, a 9.1% increase year-over-year [8] - The renewal rate for U.S. and Canada members was 92.2%, while the worldwide renewal rate was 89.7%, reflecting a slight decline [8][9] - The decline in renewal rates is attributed to a higher percentage of new online members, who renew at a lower rate compared to traditional warehouse sign-ups [9][10]