Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
Help & Tutorial 
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI SWOT - About
COST 
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)
Stock price based on last close (see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
09/15/2025: COST (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Below Average Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, often underperform the market, warranting careful consideration before investing.
Number of Analysts
38 Analysts rated it
Highly popular stock, broad analyst coverage, trusted insights, strong investor interest.
1 Year Target Price $1072.67
1 Year Target Price $1072.67
| 17 | Strong Buy |
| 5 | Buy |
| 15 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 1 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 31.14% | Avg. Invested days 59 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/15/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 429.24B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 54.93 | 1Y Target Price 1072.67 |
Price to earnings Ratio 54.93 | 1Y Target Price 1072.67 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 38 | Beta 0.95 | 52 Weeks Range 862.73 - 1075.34 | Updated Date 09/14/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 862.73 - 1075.34 | Updated Date 09/14/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.50% | Basic EPS (TTM) 17.62 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 2.92% | Operating Margin (TTM) 4% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 8.79% | Return on Equity (TTM) 32.08% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 54.93 | Forward PE 47.85 | Enterprise Value 422571471539 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.6 |
Enterprise Value 422571471539 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.6 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.57 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 32.67 | Shares Outstanding 443476992 | Shares Floating 442266394 |
Shares Outstanding 443476992 | Shares Floating 442266394 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.2 | Percent Institutions 72.46 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Costco Wholesale Corp
Company Overview
History and Background
Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1983 in Seattle, Washington, by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman. It evolved from Price Club, the first membership warehouse club, and later merged with Price Company in 1993. Costco's business model focuses on high-volume, low-margin sales.
Core Business Areas
- Merchandise Sales: This segment includes the sale of a wide variety of merchandise, including groceries, appliances, electronics, apparel, and seasonal items. It is the core revenue driver for Costco.
- Membership Fees: Costco generates significant revenue from membership fees paid by individuals and businesses. These fees are a stable and recurring revenue stream.
- Ancillary Businesses: Costco operates various ancillary businesses, such as gas stations, pharmacies, optical services, food courts, and travel services. These services enhance the value proposition for members.
Leadership and Structure
Craig Jelinek is the CEO of Costco Wholesale Corporation. The company operates with a hierarchical structure, with regional managers overseeing warehouse operations and corporate executives managing strategic initiatives.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Groceries: Costco's grocery section offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and packaged foods. Competitors include Walmart (WMT), Kroger (KR), and other supermarket chains. Costco benefits from purchasing in bulk to offer products at a lower price.
- Electronics: Costco sells televisions, computers, and other electronic devices. Competitors include Best Buy (BBY), Amazon (AMZN), and Walmart (WMT). The 'Costco Concierge' service is a plus for members.
- Kirkland Signature Products: Costco's private-label brand, Kirkland Signature, offers a wide range of products across various categories, known for its competitive pricing and quality. Competitors include other private-label brands from retailers like Walmart and Target (TGT).
- Gasoline: Costco sells gasoline at discounted prices to its members. Competitors include major gas stations and other warehouse clubs. Market share is regionally dependent, with Costco being competitive due to price.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The retail industry is highly competitive, with constant pressure on pricing and margins. The warehouse club segment is characterized by membership-based models and bulk purchasing. E-commerce poses both a challenge and an opportunity.
Positioning
Costco is a leading warehouse club operator, known for its low prices, high-quality products, and strong membership base. Its competitive advantages include its efficient supply chain, scale, and loyal customer base.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for retail is in the trillions of dollars. Costco captures a significant portion of this through its warehouse club model, focusing on value-seeking consumers. The TAM is growing due to rising disposable incomes and evolving consumer preferences.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation
- Loyal membership base
- Efficient supply chain
- High sales volume
- Competitive pricing
Weaknesses
- Reliance on membership fees
- Limited online presence compared to competitors
- High inventory costs
- Potential for margin erosion
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets
- Increased online sales
- Growth of private-label brands
- Partnerships with other retailers
- Expansion of ancillary services (e.g., healthcare)
Threats
- Increased competition from online retailers
- Economic downturns affecting consumer spending
- Supply chain disruptions
- Rising labor costs
- Changes in consumer preferences
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Walmart (WMT)
- Kroger (KR)
- Amazon (AMZN)
- Target (TGT)
- BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ)
Competitive Landscape
Costco competes with other warehouse clubs, supermarkets, and online retailers. It differentiates itself through its membership model, low prices, and high-quality products. Costco enjoys high customer retention rates due to its perceived value.
Major Acquisitions
Innovel Solutions (Last Mile Logistics)
- Year: 2020
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 1000
- Strategic Rationale: Improved delivery capabilities for large and bulky items, enhancing e-commerce fulfillment.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Costco has experienced consistent growth in revenue and membership over the past decade, driven by its value proposition and expansion into new markets.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued growth for Costco, driven by expansion, e-commerce initiatives, and strength in the core membership model. Projected Revenue growth is around [6.5, 7.0, 6.8] (Percentage over next 3 years).
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding e-commerce operations, opening new warehouses, investing in supply chain improvements, and enhancing the Kirkland Signature product line.
Summary
Costco is a very strong company with a loyal membership base and efficient operations. Its membership model provides a stable revenue stream and allows it to offer competitive prices. However, it needs to enhance its online presence to compete with e-commerce giants and manage its high inventory costs effectively. Overall, Costco is well-positioned for continued growth.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Market Research Reports
- Analyst Estimates
- Costco Website
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and analyst estimates. Actual results may vary. This is not financial advice.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Costco Wholesale Corp
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Issaquah, WA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1993-09-22 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Ron M. Vachris | ||
Sector Consumer Defensive | Industry Discount Stores | Full time employees 333000 | Website https://www.costco.com |
Full time employees 333000 | Website https://www.costco.com | ||
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories. It offers merchandise, such as sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, deli, liquor, and tobacco; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal products, office supplies, automotive care products, postages, tickets, apparel, small appliances, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and meat, produce, service deli, and bakery products. The company also operates gasoline, pharmacies, optical, food courts, hearing-aid centers, and tire installation centers; and offers business delivery, travel, grocery, and various other services online. It also operates e-commerce websites. The company was formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc. and changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999. Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.