Costco Wholesale stock eases as August sales rise 9.9 percent and analyst targets stay above the current price
Published on 09/04/2026 at 18:01 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Costco Wholesale stock is trading below prominent valuation and analyst targets even after the warehouse retailer reported strong August 2026 net sales of USD 23.70 billion, up 9.9 percent year on year according to data compiled by Zacks and RTTNews as of September 4, 2026. The NASDAQ-listed shares most recently closed around USD 928.48 on September 3, 2026, leaving a visible gap to several fair-value models and a USD 1,100 analyst price target highlighted in early September assessments.
August 2026 sales show continued growth
According to a detailed August 2026 sales update summarized by Zacks, Costco Wholesale reported net sales of USD 23.70 billion for the four weeks ended August 30, 2026, compared with USD 21.56 billion in the same period a year earlier, representing a 9.9 percent increase in revenue for the month. This follows reported net sales growth of 10.7 percent in July 2026 and 10.6 percent in June 2026, underlining that the company is maintaining high single- to low double-digit top-line momentum as the 2026 fiscal year progresses.
Same-store sales metrics in August 2026 also remained robust. A report translated from a Korean market commentary site notes that comparable sales rose about 9.0 percent in the United States, 4.0 percent in Canada and 9.5 percent across other international markets in August 2026, with underlying comparable sales growth excluding fuel price and currency effects at about 5.4 percent across the company. In the same period, Costco’s digital channel revenue increased by approximately 17.9 percent year on year, highlighting that online demand is growing faster than the overall business and adding a structural growth component on top of the warehouse format.
Valuation gap to fair value models and analyst target
The current share price around USD 928.48 as of September 3, 2026 is notably below several valuation estimates based on discounted cash flow and other models. An overview compiled by Simply Wall St cites a fair-value estimate of roughly USD 1,082.94 per share compared with the last close of USD 928.48, implying a valuation gap of around USD 154 per share between this intrinsic value calculation and the market price. This difference of well over 10 percent serves as a key reference point for investors considering whether Costco’s premium valuation is still justified by its growth metrics.
Analyst sentiment remains broadly constructive. A press release format carried by The Globe and Mail’s markets section notes that Evercore ISI maintained a Buy rating on Costco Wholesale with a price target of USD 1,100 per share in research published on September 4, 2026. Against the recent closing level of USD 928.48, this target implies an upside potential of about USD 171.52 per share, or roughly 18 percent, if the shares were to reach the analyst’s stated objective.
Recent reporting also emphasizes that Costco’s valuation multiples remain demanding. A September 4, 2026 commentary discussed by investor-focused platform Mitrade points out that Costco shares trade at about 47 times trailing earnings, underscoring that the market still assigns a high price to the company’s profits despite the recent easing from an all-time high near USD 1,097 reached in May 2026. For retail investors, this means that continued strong comparable sales and earnings growth are important to support the elevated earnings multiple.
Recent quarterly figures underpin the growth story
Costco’s most recent full quarterly results available ahead of the late September 2026 earnings date stem from the quarter ended May 10, 2026. In that period, according to an earnings summary referenced in the Evercore ISI rating coverage, the company generated quarterly revenue of USD 70.53 billion, up from USD 63.21 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. This represents revenue growth of approximately 11.5 percent year on year for the quarter, indicating that the strong August monthly sales data are consistent with broader fiscal-year trends.
Net profit for the quarter ended May 10, 2026 was reported at USD 2.19 billion, compared with USD 1.90 billion in the prior-year quarter. The increase of USD 0.29 billion translates into roughly 15.3 percent growth in quarterly net income year on year, outpacing the revenue growth rate and suggesting margin resilience even in a mixed consumer spending environment. For investors, the combination of double-digit top-line expansion and mid-teens profit growth helps to explain why the market continues to accord Costco a premium valuation multiple.
Looking ahead, a Korean-language market note summarizing Costco’s reporting calendar states that the company plans to release its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full-year results on September 24, 2026. That upcoming date creates a clear near-term catalyst for the stock, as investors will be able to compare the August sales momentum with full-year profitability figures and updated commentary on membership trends and cost inflation.
Costco Wholesale stock and fundamentals at a glance
Investors who want to review Costco Wholesale stock data, historical news and upcoming dates can find a consolidated overview on the ISIN-specific topic page and via the company’s investor relations materials.
Warehouse club model and signature product range
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse club model with large-format stores that offer a curated selection of branded and private-label products. A central product pillar is its Kirkland Signature line, which spans categories from food and household staples to consumer electronics and apparel. The strength of this private-label portfolio is one of the reasons Costco can maintain attractive value propositions while preserving margins.
Recent sales updates highlight how broad-based the company’s growth is across product categories. August 2026 net sales figures, as described by Zacks, include contributions from food, fresh produce, hardlines such as electronics and appliances, and softlines such as clothing and seasonal items. The reported 17.9 percent year-on-year expansion in digital-channel revenue indicates that Costco’s online offering, including delivery for bulk items and selected fresh products, is gaining traction beyond the traditional in-store shopping trips.
Stock level and investor perspective
Costco Wholesale stock, listed on NASDAQ under the ticker COST, recently traded around USD 928.48 as of September 3, 2026, according to market data collated by Simply Wall St and related financial portals. This price level sits below the cited fair-value estimate of USD 1,082.94 and the Evercore ISI price target of USD 1,100, suggesting that the market is currently assigning a discount relative to these valuation benchmarks even though the shares still command a rich earnings multiple near 47 times trailing profits.
Costco Wholesale stock fact box
- Company: Costco Wholesale Corporation
- ISIN: US22160K1051
- Ticker: COST
- Trading venue: NASDAQ
- Price (as of September 3, 2026): 928.48 USD
- Market capitalization: Market data indicate a large-cap valuation in the hundreds of billions of USD (as of early September 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Staples / Warehouse Clubs
- Index membership: S&P 500
