COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation

NASDAQ:COST • US22160K1051

Current stock price

972.33 USD
-2.45 (-0.25%)
At close:
974.3 USD
+1.97 (+0.2%)
After Hours:

This COST fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.

7

1. COST Profitability Analysis

1.1 Basic Checks

  • In the past year COST was profitable.
  • In the past year COST had a positive cash flow from operations.
  • COST had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
  • COST had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
COST Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFCOST Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2B 4B 6B 8B 10B

1.2 Ratios

  • COST has a better Return On Assets (10.22%) than 84.21% of its industry peers.
  • COST's Return On Equity of 26.64% is amongst the best of the industry. COST outperforms 81.58% of its industry peers.
  • COST's Return On Invested Capital of 19.20% is amongst the best of the industry. COST outperforms 97.37% of its industry peers.
  • The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for COST is significantly below the industry average of 29.49%.
  • The 3 year average ROIC (19.04%) for COST is below the current ROIC(19.20%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 10.22%
ROE 26.64%
ROIC 19.2%
ROA(3y)10.06%
ROA(5y)9.55%
ROE(3y)28.02%
ROE(5y)28.18%
ROIC(3y)19.04%
ROIC(5y)18.81%
COST Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICCOST Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 10 20 30

1.3 Margins

  • COST's Profit Margin of 2.99% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. COST outperforms 71.05% of its industry peers.
  • COST's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • With a decent Operating Margin value of 3.82%, COST is doing good in the industry, outperforming 65.79% of the companies in the same industry.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of COST has remained more or less at the same level.
  • The Gross Margin of COST (12.93%) is worse than 81.58% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of COST has remained more or less at the same level.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 3.82%
PM (TTM) 2.99%
GM 12.93%
OM growth 3Y2.67%
OM growth 5Y0.6%
PM growth 3Y4.55%
PM growth 5Y4.16%
GM growth 3Y1.87%
GM growth 5Y-0.47%
COST Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsCOST Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2 4 6 8 10

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ROAROEROICOperating and Profit MarginShow most profitable peers

7

2. COST Health Analysis

2.1 Basic Checks

  • COST has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is creating value.
  • Compared to 1 year ago, COST has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
  • The number of shares outstanding for COST has been increased compared to 5 years ago.
  • Compared to 1 year ago, COST has an improved debt to assets ratio.
COST Yearly Shares OutstandingCOST Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 100M 200M 300M 400M
COST Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsCOST Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20B 40B 60B

2.2 Solvency

  • An Altman-Z score of 9.33 indicates that COST is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • COST has a better Altman-Z score (9.33) than 94.74% of its industry peers.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of COST is 0.63, which is an excellent value as it means it would take COST, only 0.63 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
  • Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 0.63, COST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 89.47% of the companies in the same industry.
  • COST has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.18. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • With a decent Debt to Equity ratio value of 0.18, COST is doing good in the industry, outperforming 78.95% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 0.63
Altman-Z 9.33
ROIC/WACC2.16
WACC8.9%
COST Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFCOST Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 5B 10B 15B 20B 25B

2.3 Liquidity

  • A Current Ratio of 1.06 indicates that COST should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
  • The Current ratio of COST (1.06) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • COST has a Quick Ratio of 1.06. This is a bad value and indicates that COST is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • COST's Quick ratio of 0.59 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. COST outperforms 50.00% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 1.06
Quick Ratio 0.59
COST Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesCOST Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 10B 20B 30B

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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

5

3. COST Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 12.26% over the past year.
  • Measured over the past years, COST shows a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 15.76% on average per year.
  • Looking at the last year, COST shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 8.40% in the last year.
  • The Revenue has been growing by 10.54% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
EPS 1Y (TTM)12.26%
EPS 3Y11.13%
EPS 5Y15.76%
EPS Q2Q%13.93%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)8.4%
Revenue growth 3Y6.64%
Revenue growth 5Y10.54%
Sales Q2Q%9.22%

3.2 Future

  • Based on estimates for the next years, COST will show a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 9.44% on average per year.
  • COST is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 7.18% yearly.
EPS Next Y14.23%
EPS Next 2Y11.89%
EPS Next 3Y11.42%
EPS Next 5Y9.44%
Revenue Next Year8.47%
Revenue Next 2Y8.03%
Revenue Next 3Y8.08%
Revenue Next 5Y7.18%

3.3 Evolution

  • When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
  • The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
COST Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesCOST Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 100B 200B 300B 400B 500B
COST Yearly EPS VS EstimatesCOST Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 10 20 30 40

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Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

1

4. COST Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • COST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 50.56.
  • COST's Price/Earnings ratio is a bit more expensive when compared to the industry. COST is more expensive than 71.05% of the companies in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of COST to the average of the S&P500 Index (25.23), we can say COST is valued expensively.
  • Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 42.65, the valuation of COST can be described as expensive.
  • COST's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is a bit more expensive when compared to the industry. COST is more expensive than 60.53% of the companies in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of COST to the average of the S&P500 Index (23.28), we can say COST is valued expensively.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 50.56
Fwd PE 42.65
COST Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsCOST Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30 40 50

4.2 Price Multiples

  • Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, COST is valued a bit more expensive than the industry average as 71.05% of the companies are valued more cheaply.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio of COST is on the same level as its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 47.41
EV/EBITDA 31.06
COST Per share dataCOST EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 200 400 600

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
  • COST has a very decent profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)3.55
PEG (5Y)3.21
EPS Next 2Y11.89%
EPS Next 3Y11.42%

More info and screens

Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

5

5. COST Dividend Analysis

5.1 Amount

  • With a yearly dividend of 0.53%, COST is not a good candidate for dividend investing.
  • COST's Dividend Yield is a higher than the industry average which is at 0.70.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.89, COST's dividend is way lower than the S&P500 average.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.53%

5.2 History

  • On average, the dividend of COST grows each year by 7.97%, which is quite nice.
  • COST has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)7.97%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
COST Yearly Dividends per shareCOST Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 5 10 15

5.3 Sustainability

  • 33.01% of the earnings are spent on dividend by COST. This is a low number and sustainable payout ratio.
  • The dividend of COST is growing around the same rate as the earnings are growing. If this keeps up the dividend growth is sustainable.
DP33.01%
EPS Next 2Y11.89%
EPS Next 3Y11.42%
COST Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendCOST Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2B 4B 6B 8B
COST Dividend Payout.COST Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.COST Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

More info and screens

Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

COST Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP

NASDAQ:COST (3/20/2026, 8:00:01 PM)

After market: 974.3 +1.97 (+0.2%)

972.33

-2.45 (-0.25%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Earnings (Last)03-05
Earnings (Next)05-27
Inst Owners72.24%
Inst Owner Change3.6%
Ins Owners0.09%
Ins Owner Change-0.55%
Market Cap431.37B
Revenue(TTM)286.26B
Net Income(TTM)8.55B
Analysts79.09
Price Target1067.6 (9.8%)
Short Float %1.45%
Short Ratio2.7
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.53%
Yearly Dividend4.93
Dividend Growth(5Y)7.97%
DP33.01%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-Date01-30
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)0.87%
Min EPS beat(2)-1.54%
Max EPS beat(2)3.28%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-0.01%
Min EPS beat(4)-1.54%
Max EPS beat(4)3.28%
EPS beat(8)4
Avg EPS beat(8)0.35%
EPS beat(12)6
Avg EPS beat(12)-0.14%
EPS beat(16)8
Avg EPS beat(16)-0.12%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-1.62%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.71%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.53%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.76%
Min Revenue beat(4)-1.94%
Max Revenue beat(4)-1.53%
Revenue beat(8)0
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1.72%
Revenue beat(12)0
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.92%
Revenue beat(16)0
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.87%
PT rev (1m)1.57%
PT rev (3m)1.81%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.39%
EPS NQ rev (3m)0.36%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.16%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.11%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.48%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.44%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.4%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.37%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 50.56
Fwd PE 42.65
P/S 1.51
P/FCF 47.41
P/OCF 28.74
P/B 13.44
P/tB 13.44
EV/EBITDA 31.06
EPS(TTM)19.23
EY1.98%
EPS(NY)22.8
Fwd EY2.34%
FCF(TTM)20.51
FCFY2.11%
OCF(TTM)33.84
OCFY3.48%
SpS645.25
BVpS72.33
TBVpS72.33
PEG (NY)3.55
PEG (5Y)3.21
Graham Number176.9
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 10.22%
ROE 26.64%
ROCE 25.52%
ROIC 19.2%
ROICexc 33.42%
ROICexgc 33.42%
OM 3.82%
PM (TTM) 2.99%
GM 12.93%
FCFM 3.18%
ROA(3y)10.06%
ROA(5y)9.55%
ROE(3y)28.02%
ROE(5y)28.18%
ROIC(3y)19.04%
ROIC(5y)18.81%
ROICexc(3y)30.66%
ROICexc(5y)30.26%
ROICexgc(3y)32.07%
ROICexgc(5y)31.88%
ROCE(3y)25.3%
ROCE(5y)25%
ROICexgc growth 3Y3.66%
ROICexgc growth 5Y2.96%
ROICexc growth 3Y3.91%
ROICexc growth 5Y3.68%
OM growth 3Y2.67%
OM growth 5Y0.6%
PM growth 3Y4.55%
PM growth 5Y4.16%
GM growth 3Y1.87%
GM growth 5Y-0.47%
F-Score7
Asset Turnover3.42
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 0.63
Debt/EBITDA 0.42
Cap/Depr 234.6%
Cap/Sales 2.07%
Interest Coverage 107.26
Cash Conversion 111.52%
Profit Quality 106.43%
Current Ratio 1.06
Quick Ratio 0.59
Altman-Z 9.33
F-Score7
WACC8.9%
ROIC/WACC2.16
Cap/Depr(3y)215.11%
Cap/Depr(5y)210.31%
Cap/Sales(3y)1.88%
Cap/Sales(5y)1.84%
Profit Quality(3y)97.98%
Profit Quality(5y)92.22%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)12.26%
EPS 3Y11.13%
EPS 5Y15.76%
EPS Q2Q%13.93%
EPS Next Y14.23%
EPS Next 2Y11.89%
EPS Next 3Y11.42%
EPS Next 5Y9.44%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)8.4%
Revenue growth 3Y6.64%
Revenue growth 5Y10.54%
Sales Q2Q%9.22%
Revenue Next Year8.47%
Revenue Next 2Y8.03%
Revenue Next 3Y8.08%
Revenue Next 5Y7.18%
EBIT growth 1Y12.19%
EBIT growth 3Y9.49%
EBIT growth 5Y11.2%
EBIT Next Year37.07%
EBIT Next 3Y18.39%
EBIT Next 5Y13.81%
FCF growth 1Y46.73%
FCF growth 3Y30.81%
FCF growth 5Y5.31%
OCF growth 1Y40.97%
OCF growth 3Y21.73%
OCF growth 5Y8.52%

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP / COST Fundamental Analysis FAQ

What is the fundamental rating for COST stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 6 / 10 to COST.


What is the valuation status of COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) stock?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 1 / 10 to COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST). This can be considered as Overvalued.


How profitable is COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) stock?

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) has a profitability rating of 7 / 10.


Can you provide the expected EPS growth for COST stock?

The Earnings per Share (EPS) of COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) is expected to grow by 14.23% in the next year.


Is the dividend of COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP sustainable?

The dividend rating of COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) is 5 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 33.01%.