Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale has demonstrated significant stock performance with a 600% increase over the past decade, but future growth may not justify its current high valuation [1][2][8] Business Model - Costco operates a membership warehouse model, selling items in bulk at low margins while generating most profits from membership fees [4] - The company has built strong brand power, allowing it to attract customers without spending on marketing [5] Recent Performance - In the latest quarter, Costco reported an 8% increase in net sales and a 5.8% increase in comparable-store traffic year-over-year [6][7] - Paid memberships rose by 6.8%, indicating a robust customer base despite concerns about consumer spending [7] Valuation Concerns - The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has increased from a range of 25-35 pre-pandemic to nearly 60 today, suggesting a disconnect between stock price and earnings growth [8][10] - Analysts project long-term earnings growth of 9% to 10% annually, which may not be sufficient to support the current high valuation [10][11] Future Projections - If Costco's earnings grow at a 10% annualized rate, projected earnings per share for fiscal years 2026 to 2030 would be $19.80, $21.78, $23.96, $26.35, and $28.99 respectively [12][15] - Applying a historical P/E of 30 to the projected earnings could suggest a share price of $870 by 2030, while the current trading price is $1,040, indicating potential overvaluation [13][14]