COST Stock Price Today (October 2026) — Costco Wholesale Corporation Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-10-21
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is trading at $994.61, down 0.09% today (as of October 2026). The stock continues to show sustained strength above key moving averages, attracting attention from investors looking for Consumer Defensive growth opportunities.
- According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $1066.06 (7.2% upside).
- Volatility is low (12.20% annualized), implying relatively contained price movements for short-term traders.
- The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (21.50% YoY) alongside competitive pressures in the Discount Stores space.
COST Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (October 2026)
Concise, actionable data for investors
Costco Wholesale Corporation - Historical Price & Volume
- Price
- Volume
- Latest price
Market Cap
Enterprise Value: $429.62B
P/E Ratio
Forward P/E: 41.66
Revenue Growth
Year over Year
Analyst Target
+7.2% upside potential
Key Investor Questions About COST
What investors need to know before buying
Based on current market data, COST presents a overbought technical setup with looking solid fundamentals.
- Technicals say: Overbought (RSI 79.80)
- Fundamentals say: Looking solid (debt and growth supportive)
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 and currently trades in the middle of that range. Big swings are less likely unless a major catalyst emerges.
Volatility & Risk Profile
With 12.20% annualized volatility and β=-0.04, the stock exhibits low sensitivity to market moves—making COST suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
High institutional ownership with low short interest suggests steadier hands and low immediate risk.
Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets
Latest News & Headlines
Recent headlines, coverage and TickZen analysis
Market news
Kroger Wants to Cut Grocery Prices—and Grow Profit
Walmart Launches $120 Membership Bundle Ahead Of Holiday Season
Costco (COST): Can Its Membership Model Travel Further Overseas?
What Changed In Home Depot's Story?
Costco (COST) Stock Looks Expensive Despite Strong Sales Growth
Walmart Dropped 5% In The Last 6 Months: This Wall Street Firm Says 30% Gains Are Coming Soon
Latest TickZen Insights
All insights →No TickZen article on COST yet. Our newest analysis:
Explore More Analysis for COST
Additional research, tools, and technical breakdowns
Stock Analyzer Report
Deep-dive automated research and stock rating report.
DCF Fair Value Calculator
Discounted cash flow model and intrinsic value projection.
AI Price Predictions
Multi-scenario price predictions and consensus targets.
Insider Activity Tracker
Track buying/selling behavior of corporate insiders.
Earnings Calendar
Track upcoming and historical corporate earnings reports.
Market Insights & Research
Read the latest analysis articles and expert research.
Earnings snapshot
Next report Dec 10, 2026 (after the close, usually)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common investor questions about Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is currently trading at $994.61. The RSI (14-day) is at 79.8, indicating overbought territory (potentially overheated). Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $1066.06 implies 7.2% upside from current levels. Volatility is low at 12.2% 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 46.36, 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 24.65. Price-to-Sales is 1.39. Valuation should be compared to Discount Stores industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.
Based on 36 analysts covering COST, the consensus price target is $1066.06. This represents a 7.2% upside from the current price of $994.61. The range spans from a low target of $770.00 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 0.59%. The annualized dividend rate is $5.54 per share. The payout ratio is 26.7%, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is well-covered by earnings with room for future increases. The most recent ex-dividend date was Oct 30, 2026.
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 0.60x, 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.