Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation's comparable sales increased by 6% in May, indicating a strong start to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, despite a gradual deceleration from previous months [1][9] - The U.S. market saw a 5.5% increase in comparable sales, while Canada and Other International regions reported gains of 6.3% and 8.4% respectively, highlighting Costco's global strength [2] - E-commerce comparable sales surged by 12%, reflecting robust demand across digital channels [2][9] Sales Performance - Total company comparable sales, including gasoline prices and foreign exchange effects, rose by 4.3% in May, leading to net sales of $20.97 billion, a 6.8% increase from $19.64 billion in the same month last year [4][9] - The ongoing sales momentum suggests Costco could finish the final quarter positively, despite macroeconomic uncertainties [3][5] Competitive Landscape - Dollar General Corporation reported a 2.4% increase in same-store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, driven by a 2.7% rise in average transaction amounts [6] - Target Corporation experienced a 3.8% decline in comparable sales, attributed to a 5.7% drop in store sales, although digital sales increased by 4.7% [7] Valuation and Estimates - Costco's stock has increased by 10.7% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 6.3% [8] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio for Costco stands at 52.14, higher than the industry average of 33.53 [10] - Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year growth of 8% in sales and 12% in earnings per share for the current financial year [11]

Valuation Metrics - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a common valuation metric, but for companies with losses or minimal profits, the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is more effective in identifying undervalued stocks [1] - The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is another useful tool for identifying low-priced stocks with high growth potential, calculated by dividing the stock's current price by its book value per share [2][6] Book Value - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [4][5] - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued, while a ratio above one may indicate overvaluation [6][7] Stock Examples - Centene Corporation (CNC) is a diversified healthcare company with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 11.5%, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A [16][17] - Pediatrix Medical Group (MD) provides specialized physician services with a projected EPS growth rate of 9.5% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A [18][19] - Pfizer (PFE), a major pharmaceutical company, has a projected EPS growth rate of 13.8% and maintains a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A [19] - StoneCo (STNE) offers financial technology solutions with a projected EPS growth rate of 26.3%, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B [20] - Banco Santander (SAN), the largest bank in Spain, has a projected EPS growth rate of 9.6% and a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [21][22] Screening Parameters - Stocks with a P/B ratio less than the industry median indicate potential for price appreciation [12] - A P/S ratio lower than the industry average makes a stock more attractive [12] - A P/E ratio (F1) below the industry median is considered favorable [13] - A PEG ratio of less than 1 suggests that a stock is undervalued relative to its growth prospects [14] - Stocks should have a minimum trading price of $5 and an average 20-day volume of at least 100,000 for better liquidity [15]

Company Overview - Luxury furniture company RH has seen its shares drop over 60% year to date, largely due to external factors such as tariff announcements and market volatility [1][2] - The company is currently facing challenges in a tough housing market, described as the worst in almost 50 years, which is expected to continue impacting operations [2] Market Conditions - The home furnishing market experienced a surge in demand during COVID-19, but rising interest rates have led to decreased home movement and remodeling activities, negatively affecting furniture sales [3] - The company is navigating a higher-risk environment due to tariffs, market volatility, and inflation [2] Expansion Strategy - RH is aggressively expanding in Europe, with existing galleries in England, Germany, Spain, and Belgium, and plans to open new locations in London and Paris [4] - The company invests heavily in its gallery locations, which are often in prestigious areas and designed to make a statement [5] Financial Performance - In the latest fiscal fourth quarter, RH reported a nearly 10% increase in revenue to $812 million, with adjusted EPS more than doubling to $1.58, although these figures missed analyst expectations [8] - Gross margins improved by 120 basis points to 44.7%, but SG&A expenses rose 14%, accounting for 36% of sales [8] Inventory and Production - Merchandise inventories increased by 35% to $1 billion, raising concerns as inventory growth outpaced sales growth, although the company views this as a strategic advantage in light of tariffs [9] - RH aims to have 14% of its total production sourced from the U.S. by year-end to mitigate tariff impacts [7] Valuation and Risks - The company trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14 times current fiscal year estimates, which is considered inexpensive given expected revenue growth [10] - However, potential tariff impacts and economic downturns could pressure earnings, especially given the company's existing leverage of $2.6 billion and negative free cash flow last year [6][11][12]