Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale is expected to announce a special dividend this December, potentially exceeding $10 per share, with a yield of approximately 1% to 1.5% [2][3] Financial Performance - In FQ4, Costco achieved 8.1% year-over-year revenue growth, surpassing market expectations, driven by a 6.4% system-wide comparable sales increase and growth in membership [2][3] - Net income rose nearly 10% and GAAP earnings increased by 11%, indicating strong cash flow to support capital spending and special dividends [4][5] Membership and Growth Metrics - Membership increased by 6.3%, and digital sales grew by 13.6%, contributing to overall growth [3] - The company plans to open up to 35 new stores in FY2026, representing a 3.8% increase in store count [4] Balance Sheet Strength - Costco's cash reserves increased by 43% in F2025, with current assets rising by $4.1 billion (12%) and total assets by $7 billion (10%) [5] - The company's leverage remains low, with total liabilities approximately 1.6 times equity, supporting its ability to pay special dividends [6] Analyst Sentiment and Stock Forecast - Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating for Costco, with a 12-month price forecast averaging $1,069.58, indicating a potential upside of 16.77% [7][8] - Institutional ownership stands at 58%, with a bullish trend in buying activity throughout the year [9] Technical Outlook - The stock is currently holding above critical support levels, with expectations of a rebound as dividend hunters enter the market [10] - A move to new highs could initiate a sustained rally, potentially reaching the analysts' high-end target near $1,225 [11]

Key Points Renewal rates ticked down sequentially, with management pointing to mix effects from online sign-ups. Membership fee income and paid households still climbed at healthy rates. With shares at about 50 times earnings, valuation -- not renewals -- is the main reason for caution. 10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale › After a powerful multi-year run, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has finally given investors something to worry about (or has it?): Membership renewal rates slipped ...

Summary of Costco Wholesale (COST) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Costco Wholesale (COST) - **Market Cap**: $418.5 billion - **Enterprise Value**: $407.8 billion - **Industry**: Retail, Specialty Hardlines, Supermarkets, and Discount Stores Key Financial Results - **F4Q EPS**: $5.87, exceeding GS/consensus estimates of $5.85/$5.80 [19][20] - **Total Company Same Store Sales (SSS)**: +6.4%, in line with consensus but below GS estimate of +7.1% [19][20] - **Gross Margin**: 11.1%, above GS/consensus of 11.0%/10.9% [19][20] - **EBIT Margin**: 3.9%, compared to GS/consensus at 4.1%/3.9% [19][20] Membership Growth - **Total Paid Memberships**: 81.0 million, with a 7% year-over-year increase in membership income [13] - **Executive Memberships**: 38.7 million, representing 47.7% of all members, up from 47.2% last quarter [13] - **Incremental Sales from Extended Hours**: Estimated to contribute an additional +1% to U.S. weekly sales [13] Sales Performance - **Traffic Growth**: +3.7% contributing to SSS growth [2] - **Fresh Sales**: Up high single digits, driven by double-digit growth in meat [2] - **Non-Food Sales**: Up high single digits, with notable growth in gold, jewelry, and toys [2] - **Pharmacy, Optical, and Hearing Aids**: Continued strong performance [2] E-commerce Trends - **E-commerce Traffic Growth**: +27%, with significant increases in categories like gold, jewelry, and housewares [14] - **Delivery Improvements**: New delivery experience led to a +13% increase in items delivered [14] - **Personalized Offers**: Launched on the COST homepage, resulting in a +22% increase in traffic to product detail pages [14] Inflation and Cost Management - **Inflation Trends**: Remains in the low single digits (LSD) to mid single digits (MSD) range [14] - **LIFO Charge**: $43 million due to inflation impacts [14] - **Management Strategy**: Focus on changing assortments to mitigate inflation impacts, emphasizing high-ticket categories [14] Future Outlook - **12-Month Price Target**: Increased to $1,218 from $1,133, reflecting confidence in the company's value proposition [24] - **EPS Estimates**: Updated for FY26/27 to $19.68/$21.99, with a new FY28 estimate of $23.94 [22] Risks - **Competitive Landscape**: Risks from grocery, convenience, big-box, and e-commerce competitors [28] - **Macroeconomic Factors**: Potential headwinds from consumer demand and supply chain issues [28] Conclusion - **Investment Rating**: Reiterated Buy rating based on strong performance metrics and growth potential in membership and e-commerce [24]

More than one million kitchen appliances have been recalled due to posing a burn hazard. Seven different model numbers of Oster French Door Countertop Ovens sold at major retailers in the U.S. and Canada are impacted, according to the recall notice on Oster's website. "Out of more than 1.2 million units in use, fewer than 100 injury reports have been received, and these injuries involved burns consistent with everyday kitchen use and comparable to what can happen with common cooking appliances," the notice ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter results, with revenue and earnings per share exceeding expectations, but concerns about stock valuation persist [2][9]. Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter net sales increased by 8% to $84.4 billion, with total revenue (including membership fees) rising to $86.2 billion [5]. - Comparable sales grew by 5.7% (6.4% adjusted for gas and foreign exchange), and e-commerce sales increased by 13.5% on an adjusted basis [5]. - Operating income rose to $3.34 billion from $3.04 billion, and earnings per share increased to $5.87 from $5.29, reflecting a 14% year-over-year growth when adjusted for last year's tax benefit [5][6]. Membership and Expansion - Membership fee income reached $1.72 billion for the quarter and $5.32 billion for the year, up from $1.5 billion and $4.8 billion in the previous year [6]. - The company expanded its store count to 914 warehouses globally, up from 891 a year ago, contributing to strong adjusted comps and e-commerce growth [7]. Valuation Concerns - The trailing-12-month earnings per share for fiscal 2025 is $18.21, resulting in a valuation of approximately 52 times earnings, which may reflect high expectations for future growth [9]. - The premium valuation implies that small disappointments in comparable sales, renewal rates, or costs could lead to a rapid compression of the price-to-earnings ratio [10][11]. Investment Outlook - For current shareholders, the report reinforces the long-term investment case due to Costco's resilient model and strong fee income [11]. - However, for new investors, the high valuation presents a challenging risk-reward scenario, suggesting a potential wait for a better entry point [11].

Does the top warehouse retailer have a shot at joining the 12-zero club?Over the past few years, a handful of high-profile companies saw their market caps top $1 trillion. Many of those stocks -- including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon -- were in the tech sector. Amazon, the top cloud infrastructure company, also became the first online retailer to join the 12-zero club.Yet not a single brick-and-mortar retailer has joined that elite group. Could Costco Wholesale (COST -2.92%), with a market cap of $420 bil ...

Costco is arguably the best brick-and-mortar retailer in the world.Costco (COST -2.92%) reported its quarterly financial results, which alleviated many concerns among stock market investors.*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Sept. 24, 2025. The video was published on Sept. 26, 2025. ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco's stock performance has lagged behind the market despite strong fourth-quarter results, leading to a mixed reception from investors [1][2]. Group 1: Company Performance - Costco reported an 8% year-over-year sales increase in the fiscal fourth quarter, reaching $84.4 billion, with comparable sales up 5.7% and e-commerce sales up 13.6% [5]. - Earnings per share (EPS) rose to $5.87 from $5.29 last year, surpassing analyst expectations [5]. - The company has successfully navigated tariff changes, with about one-third of its merchandise sourced from abroad, and has expanded its Kirkland Signature line to mitigate impacts [6]. Group 2: Growth Opportunities - Costco is the third-largest retailer in the U.S. but operates fewer than 1,000 stores globally, indicating significant growth potential [7]. - Currently, Costco has 914 stores, with plans to accelerate openings to 35 in 2026, which is expected to enhance sales further [8]. - The company is also focusing on attracting new members and offering new products to ensure sustained growth [9]. Group 3: Target Demographics - Costco is successfully attracting younger members, with nearly half of new signups under age 40, which is crucial for future growth [10]. - The company is investing in digital channels, resulting in a 27% increase in site traffic in the fourth quarter, and has tailored its homepage experience to enhance consumer engagement [11]. Group 4: Market Sentiment - Despite Costco's strong fundamentals, Wall Street remains cautious, with an average target price 15% higher than the current price, reflecting concerns over the economic environment and slowing comparable sales growth [13]. - The stock is currently trading at a high P/E ratio of 53, indicating that it is priced for perfection and may be vulnerable to market fluctuations [15].

Core Insights - Costco continues to demonstrate strong performance, outpacing traditional retail competitors and expanding its global footprint [1][2] - The company reported an 8% revenue increase to $86.2 billion, slightly exceeding estimates, with comparable sales rising 6.4% [4] - Earnings per share increased by 11% to $5.87, surpassing consensus expectations [4] Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter reached $86.2 billion, up from $79.9 billion a year ago, slightly above the estimated $86.1 billion [4] - Comparable sales, adjusted for foreign currency and fuel prices, rose 6.4%, exceeding the consensus estimate of 5.9% [4] - Gross margin improved to 11.13%, an increase of 13 basis points year-over-year [5] - Membership income grew by 14%, with paid memberships increasing by 6.3% to 81 million [5] Membership and Expansion - Costco's recent warehouse expansions have allowed for increased sales of high-priced discretionary items [5] - The company has introduced extended store hours for executive members, which has led to an uptick in membership upgrades [6] - Membership renewal rates remain high, with a 92% renewal rate in North America and 90% worldwide [9] Market Position and Valuation - Despite strong earnings, Costco's stock fell by 0.8% in after-hours trading, reflecting its stable nature and low volatility [7] - The company does not provide forward guidance, contributing to a stable but potentially stagnant growth outlook [8] - Costco's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 51.8, indicating a premium valuation compared to other retailers, which may limit future stock growth [9][10]

Truist Securities将开市客的目标价从1042美元下调至1033美元，维持"持有"评级。(格隆汇) ...