Costco Wholesale stock trades near record levels as analysts lift price targets
Published on 07/28/2026 at 09:10 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Costco Wholesale stock is trading close to record territory, with shares recently quoted around $935 as of 27 July 2026, according to a MarketBeat price snapshot based on Nasdaq trading data.Recent MarketBeat data shows the stock trading at $935.03 on 27 July 2026, keeping Costco among the higher-priced constituents of the S&P 500.
Revenue up double digits in latest quarter
Costco Wholesale Corporation (ISIN US22160K1051) reported strong revenue growth in its most recent quarterly update, with net sales rising to approximately $58.52 billion in its fiscal third quarter of 2026, according to figures published on the company’s investor site.Costco investor relations The company indicated that this represented year-over-year growth of around 9% compared with roughly $53.69 billion in net sales in the same period of fiscal 2025, underlining continued robust demand for its warehouse-club offering.
Costco also reported that net income for the fiscal third quarter of 2026 was about $1.86 billion, up from approximately $1.68 billion in the prior-year quarter.Company earnings data This implies growth of around 10.7% in quarterly profit, reflecting operating leverage and disciplined cost control despite inflationary pressures in areas such as labor and logistics.
Membership and fees support Costco Wholesale stock
For investors, Costco’s membership economics remain central to the investment case. The company disclosed that paid household memberships reached about 77 million as of fiscal third quarter 2026, compared with roughly 73 million a year earlier, an increase of around 5.5% across the period.Membership figures Total cardholders, including add-on cards, stood near 135 million globally as of the same date, underscoring the scale of Costco’s loyal customer base.
Membership fee income, which is reported as a separate line item, contributed approximately $1.18 billion in revenue in fiscal third quarter 2026, up from about $1.09 billion in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2025.Membership fee data This roughly 8.3% increase in fee income provides a stable, high-margin revenue stream that helps smooth Costco’s earnings across the retail cycle and is a key factor underpinning Costco Wholesale stock at elevated valuation multiples.
Full Costco Wholesale filings and reports
Investors who want to examine Costco Wholesale’s detailed financials, segment data, and risk disclosures can review the latest quarterly filings and presentations in the company’s investor-relations portal and related regulatory filings.
Analysts lift targets, consensus supports valuation
Analyst sentiment for Costco Wholesale stock has remained constructive, with multiple firms raising their price targets after the recent run of earnings and membership growth. According to a MarketBeat analyst-coverage summary, the consensus rating on Costco is categorized as Moderate Buy, based on 22 buy ratings, 12 hold ratings, and 1 sell rating from covering analysts as of late July 2026.MarketBeat analyst data
The same MarketBeat overview indicates that the average analyst price target for Costco Wholesale stands at $1,059.07 per share as of 27 July 2026, which is about 13.3% above the recent $935.03 trading level cited in the report.Consensus target data This spread suggests that, on average, analysts see some additional upside over the medium term, even after Costco’s strong share-price performance over recent quarters.
Individual analyst actions help illustrate the trend in targets. A Goldman Sachs research note reported via MarketBeat stated that the firm raised its price target on Costco Wholesale stock from $1,088 to $1,159, while maintaining a buy rating.Goldman Sachs price-target move UBS has also increased its target, with a reported move from $1,205 to $1,275 on the stock, accompanied by a buy rating, according to the same MarketBeat compilation.UBS target increase
Warehouse-club format underpins top-line growth
Costco’s core warehouse-club format continues to be the engine of its revenue expansion. According to company commentary in its recent earnings materials, comparable sales in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, excluding fuel and currency effects, grew at a mid-single to high-single-digit rate in several major markets, reflecting sustained traffic and ticket growth.Comparable-sales data The US market remained the largest contributor, while international segments such as Canada and Asia also delivered healthy gains, reinforcing Costco’s diversified geographic footprint.
Costco has continued to expand its physical footprint, adding new warehouses in existing and new markets in fiscal 2026. Company filings note that total warehouses globally stood around 870 locations as of the end of the fiscal third quarter 2026, up from roughly 845 locations a year earlier.Warehouse expansion data This increase of about 25 net new locations supports incremental membership growth and offers Costco more scale to negotiate with suppliers and optimize logistics.
Kirkland Signature and private label drive value
A significant share of Costco’s merchandising strategy revolves around its private-label brand Kirkland Signature, which spans categories from household staples to fresh food and consumer electronics. In its recent investor materials, Costco highlighted that Kirkland Signature continues to grow faster than the overall business in several key categories, helping the company to deliver perceived value to members while protecting margins.Product strategy discussion While Costco does not break out Kirkland revenue separately, management commentary suggests that private-label penetration remains a driver of both customer loyalty and profitability.
Costco’s curated product assortment and focus on bulk purchasing allow it to keep operating costs relatively low compared with traditional supermarkets, especially in areas such as store labor and real estate per unit of sales.Operating-model information The company’s reliance on membership fees rather than high markup on merchandise gives it flexibility to maintain pricing discipline, which has been particularly important as consumers navigate inflation and seek value for large basket purchases.
Costco Wholesale stock valuation and market position
The strong financial performance and membership trends have implications for Costco Wholesale stock’s valuation metrics. Based on the recent share price around $935 and trailing-twelve-month diluted earnings per share from the latest filings, market data providers calculate a price-to-earnings multiple that is above the average for broad US retail indices.Valuation data This premium reflects market expectations that Costco will continue to grow membership, sales, and earnings at a pace above many traditional retail peers.
Costco is a constituent of the S&P 500 and is widely held by institutional investors, with recent filings noting that a fund managed by Lazard Asset Management acquired 74,800 shares of Costco Wholesale in a reported transaction, reinforcing its status as a core holding in diversified equity portfolios.Institutional-position report For market participants, Costco’s scale, recurring fee income, and disciplined expansion strategy are key factors in assessing the stock’s long-term role in portfolios.
Stock price and market capitalization snapshot
Costco Wholesale stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker COST. As of 27 July 2026, MarketBeat data referencing Nasdaq shows the shares at $935.03, providing a recent benchmark for investors tracking the stock’s movements.Recent share price Based on this price and the company’s reported shares outstanding in its most recent quarterly filing, market portals estimate Costco’s market capitalization in the range of several hundred billion dollars, placing it among the larger names in global retail.
The combination of share price near record levels, healthy revenue and earnings growth, and supportive analyst coverage explains why Costco Wholesale stock continues to attract attention from both retail and institutional investors. For many, the key metrics to monitor in upcoming quarters will be membership growth, fee income, comparable sales, and any changes in the pace of warehouse openings, as these factors directly influence Costco’s ability to sustain its current valuation.
Costco Wholesale at a glance
- Company: Costco Wholesale Corporation
- ISIN: US22160K1051
- Ticker: NASDAQ: COST
- Trading venue: Nasdaq
- Price (as of 27 July 2026, 16:00 ET): 935.03 USD
- Market capitalization: Several hundred billion USD (as of 27 July 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Discretionary / Hypermarkets and Super Centers
- Index membership: S&P 500
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