Costco's Earnings Are Coming Up. Analysts Like the Stock, But Expect Volatility Ahead.

Core Insights - Costco is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, following signs of decelerating sales growth earlier this year [3][9] - Analysts remain generally optimistic about Costco's ability to deliver sustainable results despite anticipated volatility in the stock [2][4][9] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, Costco's sales reached $84.4 billion, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year [10] - Comparable store sales increased by 5.7% year-over-year, with analysts projecting a profit of $2.6 million, up from $2.4 million the previous year [10] Stock Performance and Market Sentiment - Costco shares have risen 2.6% this year and approximately 170% over the past five years, with a consensus target price of $1,080 from analysts [11] - The stock has experienced fluctuations, particularly between March and June, and analysts suggest that further volatility may present buying opportunities for investors [5][9]