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
- $1,012.28
- Market Cap
- $448.57B
- 52-Week High
- $1,096.50
- 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 $1,108 as of November 2026, representing a +10.8% 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 $1,926 as of November 2026, representing a +92.6% 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 $2,183 as of November 2026, representing a +118.3% 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 $8,056 as of November 2026, representing a +705.6% 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 $138,559 as of November 2026, representing a +13755.9% 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 40+ years (483 months), Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has averaged a monthly return of +1.35% with a median return of +1.39%. The stock had 280 positive months (58%) and 200 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 +17.02% with a median return of +18.70%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +13.96%. 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 | +18.08% | $857.28 | $1,012.28 |
| 2025 | -5.39% | $906.17 | $857.28 |
| 2024 | +39.62% | $649.01 | $906.17 |
| 2023 | +49.00% | $435.57 | $649.01 |
| 2022 | -19.05% | $538.07 | $435.57 |
| 2021 | +51.82% | $354.41 | $538.07 |
| 2020 | +32.67% | $267.14 | $354.41 |
| 2019 | +45.70% | $183.35 | $267.14 |
| 2018 | +10.60% | $165.78 | $183.35 |
| 2017 | +22.37% | $135.47 | $165.78 |
| 2016 | +0.28% | $135.10 | $135.47 |
| 2015 | +18.94% | $113.58 | $135.10 |
| 2014 | +20.46% | $94.29 | $113.58 |
| 2013 | +21.83% | $77.39 | $94.29 |
| 2012 | +28.40% | $60.27 | $77.39 |
| 2011 | +16.74% | $51.63 | $60.27 |
| 2010 | +23.68% | $41.75 | $51.63 |
| 2009 | +14.32% | $36.52 | $41.75 |
| 2008 | -23.99% | $48.04 | $36.52 |
| 2007 | +33.22% | $36.06 | $48.04 |
| 2006 | +7.91% | $33.42 | $36.06 |
| 2005 | +3.19% | $32.38 | $33.42 |
| 2004 | +31.14% | $24.69 | $32.38 |
| 2003 | +32.50% | $18.64 | $24.69 |
| 2002 | -36.77% | $29.48 | $18.64 |
| 2001 | +11.12% | $26.52 | $29.48 |
| 2000 | -12.47% | $30.30 | $26.52 |
| 1999 | +26.41% | $23.97 | $30.30 |
| 1998 | +61.76% | $14.82 | $23.97 |
| 1997 | +77.61% | $8.34 | $14.82 |
| 1996 | +64.75% | $5.06 | $8.34 |
| 1995 | +18.45% | $4.28 | $5.06 |
| 1994 | -33.12% | $6.39 | $4.28 |
| 1993 | +6.21% | $6.02 | $6.39 |
| 1992 | -27.86% | $8.34 | $6.02 |
| 1991 | +28.03% | $6.52 | $8.34 |
| 1990 | -15.14% | $7.68 | $6.52 |
| 1989 | +23.33% | $6.23 | $7.68 |
| 1988 | +14.50% | $5.44 | $6.23 |
| 1987 | +0.00% | $5.44 | $5.44 |
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: 11/1/2026