Warren Buffett Admits His 2021 Sale of This Stock Was "Probably a Mistake." Is It Too Late to Invest in Costco?

Core Insights - Warren Buffett's history with Costco stock is not flawless despite the company's long-term success, which has seen a rise of over 14,000% since 1985 [1] - Charlie Munger, Buffett's late partner, had a more favorable relationship with Costco, being a board member and holding it in his personal portfolio [2] - Buffett acknowledged selling Costco stock in June 2020 as a mistake, especially as the stock has since gained over 200% [5] Group 1: Business Model and Performance - Costco's primary business model revolves around selling memberships, which are highly profitable compared to its low-margin merchandise sales [7] - The company enjoys a stable revenue stream from membership fees, leading to predictable financial performance [8] - Operating income increased from $5.4 billion in fiscal 2020 to$9.3 billion in fiscal 2024, reflecting a 71% growth over four years, or an annualized growth rate of 14% [11] Group 2: Current Investment Considerations - Costco's operating income growth has slowed to 12% in the first half of fiscal 2025, indicating potential challenges ahead [12] - The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has risen from around 35 to approximately 57, suggesting elevated valuations compared to its historical performance [12] - Despite its strong business model, the combination of slowing growth and high valuations raises questions about the attractiveness of investing in Costco stock at present [13]