Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shared his take on. During the episode, a caller asked if the stock is back, and Cramer replied: “I was at Costco this weekend, trying to check it out, trying to figure out what the heck is wrong. I think… what’s wrong is the stock got too high. I would’ve thought at 41 times earnings, it’s done going down. That was wrong. We did sell half the position, I can’t believe I sold any of it, for the Charitable Trust. We had to. I don’t ...

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is considered a long-term investment due to its recession-proof nature and consistent performance over decades [1][2]. Group 1: Business Resilience - Walmart is seen as a safe haven during economic downturns, as consumers tend to prioritize essential items over luxury goods [4][5]. - The company excels in providing essential goods such as groceries and hygiene products, which are less likely to be cut from consumer budgets during tough times [5][6]. - Walmart benefits significantly from the "trade-down" effect, where consumers shift from higher-end retailers to Walmart in search of lower prices during economic challenges [7]. Group 2: Financial Stability - Walmart has a market capitalization of $891 billion, with a current stock price of $111.74 and a gross margin of 23.90% [9]. - The company has a strong dividend history, having paid and increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [9]. - Walmart's cash flow is robust, allowing it to maintain its dividend even during economic fluctuations, providing investors with consistent income [10].

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. has been recognized for its strong performance in the retail sector, particularly during challenging market conditions, with CEO Doug McMillon credited for maintaining low prices and effectively combating inflation [1] - The company's stock was highlighted as one of the best performers, trading at around 40 times earnings, and saw a significant surge of over 6% following a strong earnings report [1] Company Overview - Walmart operates a diverse range of retail formats, including stores, warehouse clubs, and online platforms, offering groceries, everyday essentials, home goods, apparel, and electronics [1] - The company is set for a leadership transition, with CEO Doug McMillon planning to retire and hand over responsibilities to the head of Walmart US in February [1] Market Performance - Following the recent earnings report, Walmart's stock experienced a notable increase, making it the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 for the day, despite an initial dip in the morning [1]

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is involved in a lawsuit against the current administration regarding tariff refunds, which could potentially impact its stock performance positively if successful [1] - The company operates membership warehouses offering a wide range of products and services, including groceries, electronics, and e-commerce options [2] - Recent management changes, including the departure of the CFO Richard Galanti, have raised concerns about the company's performance, particularly in terms of slower monthly signups and membership renewals [2] Group 2 - Despite acknowledging Costco's potential, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential and lower downside risk compared to Costco [2]

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is one of the stocks that Jim Cramer shared his take on. A club member asked if Cramer has any reservations about the management change at the company, given that the stock has been a “laggard all year”. Here’s what he had to say in response: “Look, I have concerns about everything… I was watching Costco today versus Walmart. It was really killing me. I know that Richard Galanti has departed as CFO. New CFO, I think does a good job. I know that the monthly signup ...

Core Insights - Costco reported strong financial results for Q1 fiscal 2026, with earnings per share of $4.50 and revenue of $67.31 billion, both exceeding expectations [2][6] - The company's net sales increased by 8.2% year-over-year, with comparable sales rising by 6.4%, driven by robust consumer demand [3][6] - Membership fees reached approximately $1.33 billion, up from $1.17 billion in the same quarter last year, contributing significantly to Costco's success [4][6] Financial Performance - Earnings per share for Q1 fiscal 2026 were $4.50, surpassing the estimated $4.26 [2] - Revenue for the quarter was $67.31 billion, exceeding the anticipated $67.12 billion [2] - Net sales increased by 8.2% year-over-year, with total comparable sales rising by 6.4% [3][6] Market Position - The U.S. market saw a 5.9% increase in sales, Canada experienced a 6.5% rise, and other international markets surged by 8.8% [3] - Costco's membership fee increase, which began in September 2024, has attracted new sign-ups and renewals, particularly among younger customers [4] - The company maintains a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 47.3, a price-to-sales ratio of 1.4, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of 1.35, indicating high expectations for future growth [5]

Core Viewpoint - Casey's General Stores, Inc. is a significant player in the convenience store industry, with a strong market presence and growth potential despite its premium valuation [1][3][5]. Company Overview - Casey's General Stores operates over 2,000 locations across the Midwest and Southern regions of the United States, offering a variety of products including fuel, groceries, and prepared foods [1]. - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $19.82 billion, indicating its substantial size in the market [5]. Stock Performance - As of late 2025, Casey's stock price is approximately $533.18, reflecting a decrease of about 5.34% or $30.06 from previous levels [4]. - The stock has fluctuated between a low of $529.84 and a high of $569.39 during the trading day, with a yearly high of $573.76 and a low of $372.09 [4]. Analyst Insights - Goldman Sachs set a price target of $530 for Casey's stock, indicating that it is trading near its expected value, with the stock currently at $533.76, about 0.70% higher than the target [2][6]. - The stock is trading at approximately 33 times its current-year earnings, suggesting a premium valuation, but this is supported by the company's strong market presence and growth potential [3][6]. Investor Interest - The trading volume for the day is 581,942 shares, indicating active investor interest in Casey's stock [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - Walmart has transitioned its common stock and bonds to the Nasdaq, emphasizing its shift towards technology-driven innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence [1] Company Overview - Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is one of the largest retailers in the U.S., operating thousands of stores and offering a wide variety of products including groceries, clothing, and electronics [3] - The company focuses on low prices and convenience, serving millions of customers daily [3] Strategic Developments - CEO Doug McMillon has indicated that Walmart is increasingly becoming a tech-focused company, which may have influenced the decision to appoint John Furner, who has experience in Walmart's digital and omnichannel units, as the new leader [2] Financial Performance - Walmart reported strong third-quarter results for fiscal 2026, with revenue increasing by 5.8% year-over-year to $179.50 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations of $177.50 billion [7] - The company's stock has performed well, gaining 20.21% over the past 52 weeks, 16.79% over the past six months, and 10.97% over the past month [5] - Walmart's stock reached a 52-week high of $116.27 on December 5 but has since decreased by 2.34% from that peak [5] E-commerce Strategy - Walmart's omnichannel approach integrates online and in-store shopping, featuring a robust website and app that provide services like curbside pickup and home delivery, enhancing customer experience [4]

Kroger missed Wall Street estimates for third-quarter sales on Thursday as price-sensitive shoppers and economic uncertainty weighed on demand for its groceries and fresh produce. ...

Core Insights - Over the past decade, Walmart and Costco stocks have surged more than 460%, demonstrating their resilience in challenging economic conditions [1] - Both companies have more than doubled in value over the past five years, but this has made them more expensive investments [2] Company Performance - Costco has experienced solid growth, benefiting significantly during periods of strong consumer spending, but its growth rate has recently fallen to single digits, aligning more closely with Walmart's growth [2] - Walmart is planning to expand domestically by opening or expanding up to 150 stores in the U.S. over the next five years and has completed the acquisition of TV-maker Vizio, which may enhance its advertising business [5] Market Valuation - Walmart's current market cap is $896 billion, with a gross margin of 25.87% and a dividend yield of 0.81% [6][7] - Costco's market cap stands at $409 billion, with a gross margin of 12.84% and a dividend yield of 0.55% [10][11] - Historically, Costco has traded at a higher price-to-earnings multiple than Walmart, and this gap has widened recently, raising questions about the justification for its premium valuation [9] Investment Considerations - Despite Costco's strong brand and growth opportunities, its high valuation at around 50 times earnings may pose risks for investors, especially with its growth rate now in single digits [11][13] - Walmart, while not cheap, offers a more reasonable valuation compared to Costco, providing a better margin of safety for investors [12][14]