About Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has been publicly traded since 1986, making it a 40-year-old public company. It operates in the Discount Stores industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Issaquah, United States and employs approximately 341,000 people. With a market capitalization of $447 billion, COST is one of the largest publicly traded companies.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $1,008.99
- Market Cap
- $447.68B
- 52-Week High
- $1,067.08
- 52-Week Low
- $844.06
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Discount Stores
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +17.17% | $861.16 | $1,008.99 |
| 2025 | -5.39% | $910.27 | $861.16 |
| 2024 | +39.62% | $651.95 | $910.27 |
| 2023 | +49.00% | $437.54 | $651.95 |
| 2022 | -19.05% | $540.50 | $437.54 |
| 2021 | +51.82% | $356.01 | $540.50 |
| 2020 | +32.67% | $268.35 | $356.01 |
| 2019 | +45.70% | $184.18 | $268.35 |
| 2018 | +10.60% | $166.53 | $184.18 |
| 2017 | +22.37% | $136.08 | $166.53 |
| 2016 | +0.28% | $135.71 | $136.08 |
| 2015 | +18.94% | $114.09 | $135.71 |
| 2014 | +20.46% | $94.71 | $114.09 |
| 2013 | +21.83% | $77.74 | $94.71 |
| 2012 | +28.40% | $60.55 | $77.74 |
| 2011 | +16.74% | $51.86 | $60.55 |
| 2010 | +23.68% | $41.93 | $51.86 |
| 2009 | +14.32% | $36.68 | $41.93 |
| 2008 | -23.99% | $48.26 | $36.68 |
| 2007 | +33.22% | $36.22 | $48.26 |
| 2006 | +7.91% | $33.57 | $36.22 |
| 2005 | +3.19% | $32.53 | $33.57 |
| 2004 | +31.14% | $24.81 | $32.53 |
| 2003 | +32.50% | $18.72 | $24.81 |
| 2002 | -36.77% | $29.61 | $18.72 |
| 2001 | +11.12% | $26.64 | $29.61 |
| 2000 | -12.47% | $30.44 | $26.64 |
| 1999 | +26.41% | $24.08 | $30.44 |
| 1998 | +61.76% | $14.89 | $24.08 |
| 1997 | +77.61% | $8.38 | $14.89 |
| 1996 | +64.75% | $5.09 | $8.38 |
| 1995 | +18.45% | $4.29 | $5.09 |
| 1994 | -33.12% | $6.42 | $4.29 |
| 1993 | +6.21% | $6.05 | $6.42 |
| 1992 | -27.86% | $8.38 | $6.05 |
| 1991 | +28.03% | $6.55 | $8.38 |
| 1990 | -15.14% | $7.71 | $6.55 |
| 1989 | +23.33% | $6.25 | $7.71 |
| 1988 | +14.50% | $5.46 | $6.25 |
| 1987 | +0.00% | $5.46 | $5.46 |
Valuation
COST currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 52.4, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 45.0 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 13.9. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.6.
Dividends
Costco Wholesale Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.52%. This translates to $5.20 per share annually. The payout ratio of 27% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
COST has a beta of 0.99, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $844.06 to $1067.08, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 32 analyst opinions, COST has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $1067.09 suggests 5.8% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Costco Wholesale Corporation do? ▼
Costco Wholesale Corporation is a Discount Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Issaquah, United States.
What sector is COST in? ▼
COST operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Discount Stores industry.
When did COST go public? ▼
Costco Wholesale Corporation went public in 1986, making it a 40-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in COST 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in COST five years ago would be worth approximately $3,343 today, representing a 234.3% return.
Does COST pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Costco Wholesale Corporation pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.52%, which is $5.2 per share annually.
What is COST's market cap? ▼
Costco Wholesale Corporation has a market capitalization of $447 billion, classifying it as a mega-cap company.
What is COST's P/E ratio? ▼
COST has a trailing P/E ratio of 52.4 and a forward P/E of 45.0, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is COST a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 32 opinions, COST has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $1067.09.
Last updated: 3/14/2026