Costco Wholesale CorporationNasdaq: COST
Consumer Staples · Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail
$1,012.70
-0.18%
Vol: 1.9M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Costco announces 13.1% dividend increase to $1.47/share and 14% net income growth; lowers prices on key items amid tariff reductions
Costco raised quarterly dividend 13.1% to $1.47/share ($5.88 annualized) effective May 15 (approved April 15). Net income up 14% with company lowering prices on eggs, cheese, coffee, paper products and textiles as tariff environment improves. Operates 928 warehouses (637 US/Puerto Rico). Stock trading at $1,015.10 with 1.12% monthly gain. Rising gas prices benefiting traffic as members fuel up. Jim Cramer recommends 'buy, buy, buy' despite 49x P/E valuation. Analyst consensus suggests 10% upside.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Costco announces 13.1% dividend increase to $1.47/share and 14% net income growth; shares near $1,000Positive▶
Costco Wholesale announced a quarterly dividend increase from $1.30 to $1.47 per share ($5.88 annualized) with payment May 15, 2026. The retailer reported 14% net income growth and continues expanding with 928 total warehouses (637 U.S./Puerto Rico, 115 Canada, 42 Mexico). Stock has surged from $844 low in December 2025 to all-time high near $1,028 in March, currently trading around $995-$1,000. Analysts project Q3 FY2026 EPS of $4.88, reflecting 14% growth from prior year's $4.28. Costco has shown strong membership retention and is enhancing value offerings amid rising prices with new product launches and checkout innovations. Consensus suggests 10% analyst upside potential.
Apr 29Costco announces 13.1% dividend hike to $1.47/share and 14% net income increase; stock -0.40% but up 18% YTDPositive▶
Costco announced 13.1% dividend increase to $1.47 per share payable May 15, reflecting 14% net income growth and strong operational momentum. Company reported stable membership growth and plans to expand product offerings. Stock down 0.40% at $995.97 but up 18% YTD in powerful uptrend since December 2025 lows of $844. Q3 earnings expected near-term with $4.88 EPS consensus (+14% YoY). Analysts project 10% upside with same-store sales averaging 6.2% growth over two years.
Apr 16Costco reports March net sales of $28.41 billion, up 11.3% YoY, and raises quarterly dividend 13% to $1.47/share on April 15, 2026Positive▶
Costco reported March 2026 net sales of $28.41 billion, representing 11.3% growth from prior year, with comparable sales exceeding 9% in March. The company Board declared a dividend increase from $1.30 to $1.47 per share, or $5.88 annualized, marking a 13% raise. Costco has climbed 17% YTD as of April 7, 2026, significantly outperforming the S&P 500. The company introduced new products including Kirkland Signature Sparkling Energy Drink and seasonal plants. Costco raised premium membership fees for the first time in seven years and continues strong international growth.
Apr 15Costco reported March net sales of $28.41 billion (+11.3% YoY) with strong membership renewal at 92.1%Positive▶
Costco reported March 2026 net sales of $28.41 billion, up 11.3% YoY, with comparable sales growing 9.4%. Membership renewal rates at 92.1%. Gold bar sales surged in March. Costco operates 928 warehouses globally. Telsey Advisory raised target to $1,135 and Deutsche Bank to $1,104.
Apr 14Costco reports exceptional March sales growth of 11.3% YoY; raises membership fee first time in 7 yearsPositive▶
March net sales $28.41B, up 11.3% YoY. Raised premium membership fee, renewal rates above 92%. Telsey Advisory raised PT to $1,135.
Apr 13March sales beat: $28.41B (+11.3% YoY); gold bar sales surging; membership momentum strongPositive▶
Costco reported March net sales of $28.41B, up 11.3% YoY, beating analyst expectations. 31-week cumulative sales reached $173.26B (+9.1% YoY). Stock rose 17% YTD while S&P 500 fell 3%. Digital comps strong, transaction/traffic improving. Gold bar sales surging and new standalone gas station launches support membership expansion. Q2 2026 EPS beat: $4.58 vs estimate $4.55.
Apr 10Costco reports robust March sales of $28.41B (up 11.3% YoY) with 9.4% comparable sales growth.Positive▶
Costco exceeded analyst expectations with March net sales of $28.41B (up 11.3% YoY) and total comparable sales growth of 9.4% YoY. Five-week period ended April 5 showed strong momentum. 31-week sales $173.26B (up 9.1% YoY) across 928 warehouses globally. Stock trades at premium 47.86x forward P/E. Bernstein reaffirmed bullish view noting 50+ years of growth potential.
Apr 9Costco posts strong March sales up 11.3% to $28.41B with e-commerce surge over 20%, maintains "Buy" consensusPositive▶
Costco reported March net sales of $28.41B, up 11.3%, with e-commerce surging over 20%. Q2 earnings beat with $69.6B revenue and $4.58 EPS. Comp sales rose 7.4% YoY. First Manitoba Business Centre opening demonstrates expansion into business customer segment. Costco facing tariff headwinds but committed to returning refund value to members. Analyst consensus is "Buy" with 12-month target of $1,075.16, up 6.06%.
Apr 8Costco narrowly tops earnings expectations; Bernstein highlights 50+ year growth runway with $1170 PT.Positive▶
Costco reported Q2 FY2025 revenue of $69.6B with EPS of $4.58. Opened first Manitoba Business Centre and expanded standalone gas stations. Bernstein reaffirmed Buy with $1170 target. FY2025 revenue $275.24B (+8.17% YoY). Stock surged from $844 to all-time high near $1028 in March. Current price $1013.21. 20 analysts rate Buy with average target $1075.16.
Apr 7Costco Q1 beat: $69.6B revenue (+9.2% YoY) ahead of consensus; opens Winnipeg Business Centre, rolls out standalone gas stationsPositive▶
Costco reported Q1 revenue $69.6B (+9.2% YoY), beating Wall Street consensus of $69.06B. EPS $4.58 exceeded estimates. Extended hours for executive members boosted U.S. weekly sales 1% since June launch. Stock trading at $1,017.07 with 452B market cap; YTD returns +18.8%. Opened first Winnipeg Business Centre; rolling out member-only stand-alone gas stations including Mission Viejo, CA location. Announced GLP-1 partnership with Novo Nordisk: $499 for 4-week Ozempic/Wegovy supply (steep discount). 81M paid members via digital sign-ups. Legal: Lululemon suing over trademark-infringing "dupes"; Costco suing Trump administration over tariff authority. Analyst consensus: 10% upside potential. Membership income surging.
Apr 6Costco pops on bullish analyst outlook flagging 50+ year growth runway.Positive▶
Costco popped April 2 on analyst commentary highlighting 50+ year growth runway. April 2026 coupon book expanded with new products. Q4 net sales $84.4B (+8.0% YoY); FY $269.9B (+8.1%); comparable sales +5.7% Q4 and +5.9% FY. E-commerce surged 13.6% Q4 and 15.6% FY. Stock reached ATH near $1,028 in March, up from December low $844. YTD +18.8%.
Apr 3Costco extends executive member hours boosting weekly sales 1%; transitions food courts to Coca-Cola.Positive▶
Costco reported that extended hours for executive members have increased U.S. weekly sales by 1%. The company completed nationwide transition from PepsiCo to Coca-Cola products in food courts. Fiscal 2025 revenue reached $275.24 billion (8.17% increase) with earnings of $8.10 billion. However, the company is suing the Trump administration over tariff authority and faces a proposed class action lawsuit for tariff-related price increases. Costco stock surged 3.57% weekly and reached all-time high near $1,028.
Apr 1Costco stock up 16% YTD despite broader market weakness; Q2 FY2026 net income grew 13.8% to $2,035 million.Positive▶
Costco reported Q2 fiscal 2026 net sales increased 9.1% to $68.24 billion with net income of $2,035 million ($4.58 per diluted share), up from $1,788 million ($4.02) in the prior year. Stock is trading near $996, up 16% YTD and strongly outperforming the broader market. Membership fee income grew 13.6%, reflecting strong retention with renewal rates of 93% in U.S. and Canada. The company is opening 6 new locations in 2026. Trading at 50x forward earnings, analysts have consensus Buy rating with median price target of $1,083.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWALMART | $131.84 | -0.07% | +4.0% | 40.2x | 0.66 | $1.05T |
| COSTCOSTCO | $1,012.70 | -0.18% | -0.4% | 45.1x | 0.98 | $450.1B |
| TGTTARGET | $129.14 | -0.47% | +6.2% | 15.3x | 1.03 | $58.9B |
| DGDOLLAR | $114.31 | -1.35% | -7.3% | 14.5x | 0.34 | $25.5B |
| DLTRDOLLAR | $94.85 | -2.33% | -12.6% | 13.1x | 0.74 | $19.2B |
| PGPROCTER | $147.58 | +0.33% | +3.0% | 20.7x | 0.40 | $342.5B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.