COST Stock Price Today (September 2026) — Costco Wholesale Corporation Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-09-03
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is trading at $925.41, down 0.33% today (as of September 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 $1077.31 (16.4% upside).
- Volatility remains elevated (18.28% 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 (September 2026)
Concise, actionable data for investors
Costco Wholesale Corporation - Historical Price & Volume
Market Cap
Enterprise Value: $417.63B
P/E Ratio
Forward P/E: 41.66
Revenue Growth
Year over Year
Analyst Target
+16.4% 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 38.35)
- 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 18.28% annualized volatility and β=0.26, 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
Sam's Club makes members an offer Costco won't even consider
The company is betting on a strategy Costco has long rejected.
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Costco Stock Is Priced For Two Good Years, Is That A Safe Bet?
Costco Wholesale (COST) trades at about $928 a share, roughly 43.5 times the last twelve months of adjusted earnings, meaning normalized net income with stock-based compensation added back, a basis meant to sit closer to what analysts use in their forecasts. For a warehouse retailer, that is a growth company's price. What it leaves out is what analysts expect Costco to earn by fiscal 2028.
Walmart Jumps Nearly 2.8% as Justice Department Widens Beef-Pricing Review
Officials contacted eight retailers, including Walmart, Costco and Amazon, as record beef prices intensify scrutiny.
The Gap Between HD Stock And Its Own Numbers
Home Depot's stock trades in the middle of its peer group on valuation, but its performance and growth have fallen to the back of the pack. Has the market gotten this retailer’s ranking wrong.
Prediction: Costco Could Be Worth More Than Home Depot and Lowe's Combined by 2030. Here's the Math.
Costco doesn't need to reinvent retail to overtake the home improvement giants. It just needs to keep doing what has worked so well for its members, warehouses, and bottom line.
Costco (COST) Drawn Into Expanded DOJ Beef Pricing Antitrust Probe
Costco Wholesale (NasdaqGS:COST) has been asked by the US Department of Justice for detailed records as part of an expanded antitrust investigation into beef pricing. The broadened probe now covers major food retailers, with authorities seeking information on pricing practices and supply chain arrangements for beef products. The inquiry raises potential regulatory and operational questions for Costco as a key buyer and seller of beef in the US grocery market. Consider reviewing other...
Costco shuts down key service without notice
Members weren’t told and just found that the popular buying option had gone away.
Costco will soon do something it does just 7 times a year
Members may be disappointed temporarily, but the decision actually benefits them in the long run.
Costco Is Closing In on $300 Billion. Wall Street Still Sees More Upside
Fiscal 2026 sales climbed 10.2% to $297.3 billion, while Bank of America maintained a $1,200 price target on the retail giant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common investor questions about Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is currently trading at $925.41. The RSI (14-day) is at 38.4, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $1077.31 implies 16.4% upside from current levels. Volatility is low at 18.3% 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 46.69, which is above the market average, indicating investors are pricing in higher growth expectations. The forward P/E is 41.66, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. The PEG ratio is 4.53, above 2.0, suggesting the stock may be overvalued relative to its expected growth. Price-to-Book is 24.82. Price-to-Sales is 1.40. Valuation should be compared to Discount Stores industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.
Based on 35 analysts covering COST, the consensus price target is $1077.31. This represents a 16.4% upside from the current price of $925.41. 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 64.00%. 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 2026-07-24T00:00:00.000Z.
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.