COST Stock Price Today (July 2026) — Costco Wholesale Corporation Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-07-17
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is trading at $940.87, down 0.50% today (as of July 2026). The stock continues to show pressure below major moving averages, attracting attention from investors looking for Consumer Defensive growth opportunities.
- According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $1082.94 (15.1% upside).
- Volatility remains elevated (23.67% annualized), implying wide price swings for short-term traders.
- The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (21.50% YoY) alongside significant competitive pressures.
COST Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (July 2026)
Concise, actionable data for investors
Costco Wholesale Corporation - Historical Price & Volume
Market Cap
Enterprise Value: $413.20B
P/E Ratio
Forward P/E: 41.35
Revenue Growth
Year over Year
Analyst Target
+15.1% upside potential
Key Investor Questions About COST
What investors need to know before buying
Based on current market data, COST presents a neutral technical setup with caution warranted fundamentals.
- Technicals say: Neutral (RSI 49.73)
- Fundamentals say: Caution warranted (high leverage concerns)
COST's growth trajectory depends on its ability to expand within the Discount Stores sector while managing margin pressures.
- Future growth will depend on performance in core Discount Stores operations.
- The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
The primary risks for COST investors include debt exposure and competitive dynamics in the Discount Stores industry.
- $10.23B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
- Fierce competition from established players in Discount Stores.
52-Week Trading Range
Over the past year, COST stock traded between $844.06 and $1096.50—recovering meaningfully from lows and currently near the higher end. Big swings are likely unless a major catalyst emerges.
Volatility & Risk Profile
With 23.67% annualized volatility and β=0.34, the stock exhibits low sensitivity to market moves—making COST suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
High institutional backing, but elevated short interest signals a potential battleground stock.
Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets
Latest News & Headlines
Recent headlines and coverage
FDA finds outbreak-linked parasite in Taylor Farms lettuce sample
Investing.com -- A sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for the parasite behind a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Lettuce Supplier Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak Is a Global Salad Giant
Taylor Farms’ customers include restaurants and retailers. Its onions were linked to a 2024 outbreak of E. coli.
How Investors May Respond To Costco Wholesale (COST) Double-Digit June Sales Growth And New Dividend Declaration
In early July 2026, Costco Wholesale reported that June net sales reached US$29.24 billion, a 10.6% year-over-year increase, while its Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$1.47 per share payable on August 7, 2026. Beyond those figures, the combination of solid sales growth and continued emphasis on membership-driven revenue highlights how Costco’s recurring-fee model underpins its ability to return cash to shareholders. With June’s double-digit sales growth underscoring membership...
Costco Gas Pumps Are So Popular the Retailer Is Building Stand-Alone Stations
Costco wants to give its shoppers an easier way to buy gas. The locations are part of Costco’s effort to find new ways to increase sales and make its membership more valuable to shoppers, said Costco Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip. Members have said they want faster checkouts, larger parking lots and that gas stations can get busy, he said in an interview.
Costco Delivers Another Strong Sales Report. Buy COST Stock Now for More Upside Ahead.
June net sales jumped 10.6%, e-commerce accelerated, and analysts see additional catalysts heading into the back half of the year.
Popular beverage chain closing multiple locations nationwide
Once embraced by celebrities and influencers, juice cleanses became one of the defining wellness trends of the 2010s, marketed as a way to detox the body and promote rapid weight loss through expensive multi-day programs. Over the past decade, consumer preferences have shifted toward more ...
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Walmart beats Costco at its own game
Costco has a simple business model. It sells memberships, and only members can shop in its stores. In exchange for paying $65 for a Gold membership or $130 to be an Executive member, which comes with added perks, including 2% cash back on most purchases, members get low prices. Costco generated ...
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This Cashier Shows That Some Companies Still Reward Dedication. He Earns $33 an Hour and Is Now a Millionaire
For many workers, the idea of becoming a millionaire while spending an entire career as a cashier sounds impossible. But one longtime Costco (NASDAQ:COST) employee shows that, under the right circumstances, decades of steady work, good benefits and consistent investing...
Frequently Asked Questions
Common investor questions about Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is currently trading at $940.87. The RSI (14-day) is at 49.7, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $1082.94 implies 15.1% upside from current levels. Volatility is moderate at 23.7% annualized, meaning price movements are relatively contained. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification before making a decision.
Based on current valuation metrics for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST): The trailing P/E ratio is 47.21, which is above the market average, indicating investors are pricing in higher growth expectations. The forward P/E is 41.35, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. The PEG ratio is 4.56, above 2.0, suggesting the stock may be overvalued relative to its expected growth. Price-to-Book is 25.24. Price-to-Sales is 1.42. Valuation should be compared to Discount Stores industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.
Based on 33 analysts covering COST, the consensus price target is $1082.94. This represents a 15.1% upside from the current price of $940.87. The range spans from a low target of $740.00 to a high target of $1315.00, reflecting varying levels of optimism among analysts. The consensus recommendation is "buy". Note: Analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates and not guarantees of future performance.
Yes, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) pays a dividend with a current yield of approximately 62.00%. The annualized dividend rate is $5.37 per share. The payout ratio is 27.0%, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is well-covered by earnings with room for future increases. The most recent ex-dividend date was 2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z.
Key risks for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) investors include: 1. Broader market and macroeconomic risks (interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events). 2. Discount Stores sector-specific competitive pressures. Investors should diversify and consider their risk tolerance before investing.
Here is Costco Wholesale Corporation's (COST) current debt and financial health profile: Total debt stands at $10.23B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 60.26, which is moderate and generally manageable for most companies. The current ratio is 1.07, indicating adequate short-term liquidity. The quick ratio is 0.56. The company holds $11.13B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $6.95B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.