About Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
Costco Wholesale Corporation is a Discount Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector.
COST trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $965.73
- Market Cap
- $428.66B
- 52-Week High
- $1,067.08
- 52-Week Low
- $844.06
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Discount Stores
$1,000 Invested in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
How much would $1,000 invested in COST be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in COST 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) in 2025 would be worth $1,068 as of May 2026, representing a +6.8% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in COST 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) in 2023 would be worth $2,065 as of May 2026, representing a +106.5% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in COST 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) in 2021 would be worth $3,099 as of May 2026, representing a +209.9% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in COST 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) in 2016 would be worth $7,434 as of May 2026, representing a +643.4% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in COST at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) at IPO would be worth $131,592 as of May 2026, representing a +13059.2% total return.
DCA vs Lump Sum Calculator
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COST vs S&P 500
See how COST compares to the S&P 500 benchmark over time
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 39+ years (476 months), Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has averaged a monthly return of +1.36% with a median return of +1.40%. The stock had 277 positive months (58%) and 196 negative months (41%). The best month in COST's history was December 2000 with a +22.4% return, while the worst was May 2000 at -40.9%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.2%), and April the weakest (-0.7%).
COST's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1997 with a cumulative return of +61.7%, and the worst was 2002 at -43.3%.
Annual Returns
Over 40 years of trading history, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has delivered an average annual return of +16.87% with a median return of +18.70%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +13.81%. The stock posted gains in 32 years (80%) and losses in 8 years (20%).
COST's best year was 1997 with a +77.61% gain, while the worst was 2002 at -36.77%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 13, and the longest losing streak was 1 years. COST achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 27 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +12.14% | $861.16 | $965.73 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions: COST
What sector is COST in? ▼
COST operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Discount Stores industry.
How has COST performed historically? ▼
Over 40 years of trading history, COST has posted gains in 32 years (80% of the time). The best year was 1997 with a +77.6% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in COST? ▼
You can invest in COST through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold COST.
Last updated: 3/24/2026