Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST): A Bull Case Theory

Core Thesis - Costco Wholesale Corporation is positioned positively due to its strategic partnership with Novo Nordisk to sell GLP-1 drugs, which aligns with its low-margin, high-volume business model [2][3][4] Company Overview - As of October 7th, Costco's share price was $914.80, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 50.34 and 45.87 respectively [1] - The company's pharmacy revenue is growing at approximately 15% year-over-year, indicating strong performance in this segment [3] Strategic Partnership - The partnership with Novo Nordisk will allow Costco to sell Ozempic and Wegovy at $499 per month starting October 2025, enhancing its healthcare offerings [2][3] - This initiative is expected to increase member engagement and potentially boost renewal rates and average spend per member [3][4] Market Positioning - Both Costco and Novo Nordisk are trading at elevated valuations, with Costco around 45x earnings and Novo Nordisk near 40x [4] - The collaboration illustrates the intersection of retail and healthcare, showcasing Costco's ability to leverage its scale and brand trust to enter high-demand categories [4] Historical Context - A previous bullish thesis on Costco highlighted its membership-driven revenue model and operational efficiency, despite a 12.61% depreciation in stock price due to broader market pressures [5]