Strong Buy Rating for Costco Amidst Outstanding Financial Performance and Membership Growth (2024)

Justin Kleber, an analyst from Robert W. Baird, maintained the Buy rating on Costco (COSTResearch Report). The associated price target is $850.00.

Justin Kleber has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors including Costco’s commendable financial performance and strong membership growth. The company’s second fiscal quarter results showed an earnings per share that exceeded expectations, which were driven by robust comparable store sales and efficient management of selling, general, and administrative expenses. Additionally, Costco’s membership key performance indicators remained strong with an increase in paid memberships and high renewal rates indicating customer loyalty and potential for a future increase in membership fees.

Furthermore, Kleber highlights Costco’s solid operational margins and attractive gross margins, which suggests effective cost control and the ability to expand profitability. The company’s ability to manage inventory and adjust pricing to enhance member loyalty and frequency is also a positive indicator. With a balance sheet considered best-in-class, showing significant net cash even after substantial dividend payments, Costco stands out with solid financial health. The outlook for the company remains positive with raised earnings estimates and a new, higher price target, reinforcing the Buy rating.

In another report released yesterday, Goldman Sachs also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $830.00 price target.

See Insiders’ Hot Stocks on TipRanks >>

Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 81 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of COST in relation to earlier this year.

TipRanks tracks over 100,000 company insiders, identifying the select few who excel in timing their transactions. By upgrading to TipRanks Premium, you will gain access to this exclusive data and discover crucial insights to guide your investment decisions. Begin your TipRanks Premium journey today.

Costco (COST) Company Description:

Incorporated in 1983, Costco Wholesale Corp. operates an international chain of membership-only warehouse clubs. It sells product categories, including groceries, appliances, automotive supplies, toys, hardware, sporting goods, books, housewares, and apparel among others. The company is based in Issaquah, Washington.

Read More on COST:

Strong Buy Rating for Costco Amidst Outstanding Financial Performance and Membership Growth (2024)

FAQs

How well is Costco performing financially? ›

Net income for the first 24 weeks was $3.33 billion, $7.49 per diluted share, compared to $2.83 billion, $6.37 per diluted share, last year. For the four-week reporting month of February, ended March 3, 2024, the Company reported net sales of $18.21 billion, an increase of 6.9 percent from $17.04 billion last year.

What is Costco's financial health? ›

Costco Wholesale Balance Sheet Health

Costco Wholesale has a total shareholder equity of $20.8B and total debt of $6.9B, which brings its debt-to-equity ratio to 33.5%. Its total assets and total liabilities are $66.3B and $45.6B respectively. Costco Wholesale's EBIT is $8.9B making its interest coverage ratio -20.2.

Will Costco continue to grow? ›

Costco's business will grow

Costco's surest path to positive shareholder returns is to boost sales at a faster clip than its peers. It's been doing a great job on this score lately, with same-store sales rising 6% in the most recent quarter, compared to Walmart's 4% uptick.

Does Costco really pay well? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $50.48 and as low as $9.38, the majority of Costco Employee wages currently range between $15.38 (25th percentile) to $24.76 (75th percentile) across the United States.

What is the financial projection for Costco? ›

COST Sales Forecast

Next quarter's sales forecast for COST is $79.92B with a range of $77.63B to $82.26B.

Is Costco stock overpriced? ›

From a profit perspective, Costco stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 47. That valuation is double the average P/E ratio of the S&P 500, which currently sits at 23. It essentially means investors think Costco is worth buying at twice the price of an average stock.

What is Costco debt? ›

Total debt on the balance sheet as of May 2024 : $9.29 B

According to Costco's latest financial reports the company's total debt is $9.29 B. A company's total debt is the sum of all current and non-current debts.

How much debt is Costco in? ›

Total debt on the balance sheet as of May 2024 : $9.29 B

According to Costco's latest financial reports the company's total debt is $9.29 B. A company's total debt is the sum of all current and non-current debts.

Is Costco still a success? ›

Costco Wholesale (COST -1.64%) has an impressive record behind it, with the business growing strongly for years and the stock price rising along with it. At this point, share prices have soared over 600% in just 10 years compared to a far less impressive 170% gain for the S&P 500 index.

What is the financial position of Costco? ›

Costco Financial Overview

The company's EPS TTM is $16.133; its P/E ratio is 53.97; and it has a dividend yield of 2.21%. Costco is scheduled to report earnings on September 26, 2024, and the estimated EPS forecast is $5.02.

Is Costco making money? ›

The answer is surprising: Costco makes a profit mainly from membership fees. To shop at Costco, one must possess a membership. This permits Costco to do what no other grocery store could previously do, which is sell their items at a price so low that they break even.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arline Emard IV

Last Updated:

Views: 5739

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arline Emard IV

Birthday: 1996-07-10

Address: 8912 Hintz Shore, West Louie, AZ 69363-0747

Phone: +13454700762376

Job: Administration Technician

Hobby: Paintball, Horseback riding, Cycling, Running, Macrame, Playing musical instruments, Soapmaking

Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.