COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation

NASDAQ:COST • US22160K1051

992.146 USD
-5.21 (-0.52%)
At close: Mar 11, 2026
992.23 USD
+0.08 (+0.01%)
After Hours: 3/11/2026, 4:00:00 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Forecast Earnings Financials Ownership News

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

Fundamental Rating

6

Taking everything into account, COST scores 6 out of 10 in our fundamental rating. COST was compared to 38 industry peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. Both the health and profitability get an excellent rating, making COST a very profitable company, without any liquidiy or solvency issues. COST is quite expensive at the moment. It does show a decent growth rate. With these ratings, COST could be worth investigating further for quality investing!.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

7

1. COST Profitability Analysis

1.1 Basic Checks

  • COST had positive earnings in the past year.
  • COST had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
  • In the past 5 years COST has always been profitable.
  • In the past 5 years COST always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
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

  • Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 10.22%, COST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 84.21% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 26.64%, COST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 81.58% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Looking at the Return On Invested Capital, with a value of 19.20%, COST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 97.37% of the companies in the same industry.
  • COST had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 19.04%. This is significantly below the industry average of 28.43%.
  • The last Return On Invested Capital (19.20%) for COST is above the 3 year average (19.04%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
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 has a better Profit Margin (2.99%) than 73.68% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of COST has grown nicely.
  • COST's Operating Margin of 3.82% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. COST outperforms 65.79% of its industry peers.
  • COST's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
  • The Gross Margin of COST (12.93%) is worse than 81.58% of its industry peers.
  • COST's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
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

More info and screens

ROAROEROICOperating and Profit MarginShow most profitable peers

7

2. COST Health Analysis

2.1 Basic Checks

  • The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), so COST is creating value.
  • COST has about the same amout of shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
  • COST has more shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • COST has a better debt/assets ratio than last year.
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

  • COST has an Altman-Z score of 9.46. This indicates that COST is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
  • COST has a Altman-Z score of 9.46. This is amongst the best in the industry. COST outperforms 94.74% of its industry peers.
  • COST has a debt to FCF ratio of 0.63. This is a very positive value and a sign of high solvency as it would only need 0.63 years to pay back of all of its debts.
  • COST has a Debt to FCF ratio of 0.63. This is amongst the best in the industry. COST outperforms 92.11% of its industry peers.
  • COST has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.18. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.18, COST is in the better half of 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 9.46
ROIC/WACC2.22
WACC8.64%
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

  • COST has a Current Ratio of 1.06. This is a normal value and indicates that COST is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • COST has a Current ratio (1.06) which is in line with its industry peers.
  • 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.
  • Looking at the Quick ratio, with a value of 0.59, COST is in line with its industry, outperforming 50.00% of the companies in the same industry.
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

More info and screens

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

  • The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 9.44% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
  • The Revenue is expected to grow by 7.18% on average over the next years.
EPS Next Y14.23%
EPS Next 2Y11.89%
EPS Next 3Y11.42%
EPS Next 5Y9.44%
Revenue Next Year8.05%
Revenue Next 2Y7.75%
Revenue Next 3Y7.62%
Revenue Next 5Y7.18%

3.3 Evolution

  • The EPS growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
  • When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
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

More info and screens

Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

1

4. COST Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • The Price/Earnings ratio is 51.59, which means the current valuation is very expensive for COST.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of COST indicates a slightly more expensive valuation: COST is more expensive than 71.05% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of COST to the average of the S&P500 Index (26.25), we can say COST is valued expensively.
  • With a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 43.52, COST can be considered very expensive at the moment.
  • 60.53% of the companies in the same industry are cheaper than COST, based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio.
  • COST is valuated expensively when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 24.39, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 51.59
Fwd PE 43.52
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 73.68% of the companies in the same industry.
  • COST's Price/Free Cash Flow is on the same level as the industry average.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 48.4
EV/EBITDA 31.89
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 COST does not grow enough to justify the current Price/Earnings ratio.
  • COST has a very decent profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)3.63
PEG (5Y)3.27
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 0.52%, 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.
  • With a Dividend Yield of 0.52, COST pays less dividend than the S&P500 average, which is at 1.82.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.52%

5.2 History

  • On average, the dividend of COST grows each year by 7.97%, which is quite nice.
  • COST has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has 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.
  • COST's earnings are growing around the same pace than its dividend. As long as the earnings growth is kept 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 (3/11/2026, 4:00:00 PM)

After market: 992.23 +0.08 (+0.01%)

992.146

-5.21 (-0.52%)

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 Change3.48%
Ins Owners0.09%
Ins Owner Change0.84%
Market Cap440.38B
Revenue(TTM)286.26B
Net Income(TTM)8.55B
Analysts79.09
Price Target1067.6 (7.61%)
Short Float %1.58%
Short Ratio2.76
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.52%
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)-0.34%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.59%
EPS NQ rev (3m)1.21%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.16%
EPS NY rev (3m)1.58%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.28%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.39%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.02%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.12%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 51.59
Fwd PE 43.52
P/S 1.54
P/FCF 48.4
P/OCF 29.34
P/B 13.72
P/tB 13.72
EV/EBITDA 31.89
EPS(TTM)19.23
EY1.94%
EPS(NY)22.8
Fwd EY2.3%
FCF(TTM)20.5
FCFY2.07%
OCF(TTM)33.82
OCFY3.41%
SpS644.93
BVpS72.29
TBVpS72.29
PEG (NY)3.63
PEG (5Y)3.27
Graham Number176.86
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 250
Cash Conversion 111.52%
Profit Quality 106.43%
Current Ratio 1.06
Quick Ratio 0.59
Altman-Z 9.46
F-Score7
WACC8.64%
ROIC/WACC2.22
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 Year8.05%
Revenue Next 2Y7.75%
Revenue Next 3Y7.62%
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 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%.