Costco Stock Is Soaring. Is It Too Late to Buy?

Core Insights - The market is showing renewed interest in Costco Wholesale, with the stock up 13% in January 2026 after a stagnant previous year [1] - Costco's membership model continues to attract customers, leading to high renewal rates and robust profitability [1] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Costco reported an 8.2% year-over-year increase in sales, with comparable sales rising 6.4% [2] - Digitally enabled sales surged by 20.5%, and earnings per share increased from $4.04 to $4.50 [2] - Membership renewal rates were 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada, and 89.7% worldwide, with paid memberships growing by 5.2% to 81.4 million [2] Business Model Adaptation - The company is evolving its business model by introducing self-checkout options and online registration and renewals [3] - While traditional e-commerce does not align well with Costco's warehouse model, the company is expanding grocery delivery through a partnership with Instacart and enhancing curbside pickup services [3] Market Response - Costco's monthly updates are well-received, with December sales showing an 8.5% year-over-year increase and comparable sales up 7% [4] - The stock has a market capitalization of $417 billion, with a current price of $940.10 and a P/E ratio of 52, indicating a premium valuation [6] Investment Considerations - Despite its reliable growth, Costco's stock is considered expensive, with a P/E ratio above 60 last year, which led to a market correction [6] - Currently trading at 52 times trailing-12-month earnings, the stock may appear less attractive, but long-term investors might consider dollar-cost averaging to capitalize on future growth [7]