Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
COST stock forecast: what analysts expect
Wall Street analysts covering Costco Wholesale Corporation currently rate the stock a Buy on average, with a mean 12-month price target of $1,077.31 — +13.5% versus the last price of $949.58. Targets reflect analyst opinion, not a guarantee.
COST historical returns
Based on monthly dividend-adjusted prices. See the full breakdown on what if you had invested in COST.
COST annual returns by year
Congress trading in COST
40 members of Congress have disclosed trading COST — 68 purchases and 31 sales worth an estimated $1.7M. Most recent disclosure: Jul 10, 2026.
See who in Congress traded COST →Insider activity in COST
COST's own executives and directors have made 0 open-market purchases ($0) and 1 sale ($847,345) in the last 90 days, per SEC Form 4 filings. Most recent: Jun 23, 2026.
| Jun 23, 2026 | Denman Kenneth D | Director | Sell | $847,345 |
About Costco Wholesale Corporation
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. It offers merchandise, including sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, deli, liquor, and tobacco; non-food merchandise comprising appliances, small electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal, automotive, stamps, tickets, apparel, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and fresh food, such as meat, produce, service deli, and bakery products. The company is also involved in warehouse ancillary operations, which include gasoline, pharmacies, optical, food courts, hearing-aid centers, and tire installation centers. In addition, it engages in e-commerce, business centers, travel, and other businesses. 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.
COST Key Statistics
COST in plain English
- P/E ratio (47.4) — how many dollars you pay for each $1 of COST's yearly profit. That's high, so the market expects strong growth (and you're paying up for it).
- ROE (29.15%) — how efficiently the company turns shareholders' money into profit. Above ~20% is considered strong.
- Profit margin (3.01%) — of every $1 in sales, this is what's left as profit after all costs.
- Dividend yield (0.62%) — the cash payout you'd earn per year as a % of the share price, on top of any price gains.
COST stock: frequently asked questions
What is Costco Wholesale Corporation's stock price today?
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) last traded at $949.58 on the NASDAQ. Over the past 52 weeks the stock has traded between $844.06 and $1,096.50.
Is COST stock a buy or a sell?
Wall Street analysts' consensus rating on COST is "Buy", with an average 12-month price target of $1,077.31 — about +13.5% versus the current price of $949.58. Analyst targets are opinions, not guarantees; always do your own research.
How much would $1,000 invested in COST 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation made 10 years ago would be worth about $6,935 today (dividends reinvested) — a total return of 593%, or 21.4% per year.
Does COST pay a dividend?
Yes. Costco Wholesale Corporation currently pays a dividend yielding about 0.62% per year at today's share price.
What is COST's P/E ratio?
COST trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 47.4, and 41.9 times expected forward earnings. The P/E ratio tells you how many dollars investors pay for each $1 of the company's annual profit.
Do members of Congress trade COST stock?
Yes — 40 members of Congress have disclosed trades in COST under the STOCK Act, totaling 68 purchases and 31 sales worth an estimated $1.7M.
What is Costco Wholesale Corporation's ticker symbol?
Costco Wholesale Corporation trades under the ticker symbol COST on the NASDAQ.
Compare COST with peers
Data last refreshed from public sources. Figures may be delayed. Not investment advice.