Costco Wholesale stock holds near highs as August 2026 sales jump almost 10 percent

Costco Wholesale stock is trading just below its 2026 highs after reporting a 9.9 percent jump in August net sales and double-digit growth for the fourth quarter, while the quiet closure of the Costco Next online marketplace adds a new twist for members.

Costco Wholesale stock (ISIN US22160K1051) closed at 928.48 USD on the Nasdaq under the ticker COST on September 2, 2026, leaving the warehouse retailer’s shares close to their upper trading range for the year even after a 1.22 percent decline in the latest session, according to market data compiled by Yahoo Finance and Investing.com.

August sales provide fresh momentum

According to a sales release published via Globe Newswire on September 2, 2026, Costco reported net sales of 23.70 billion USD for the retail month of August, covering the four weeks ended August 30, 2026, an increase of 9.9 percent from 21.56 billion USD in the prior-year month.

The same release shows that for the 16-week fourth quarter ended August 30, 2026, Costco generated net sales of 93.9 billion USD, up 11.3 percent compared with 84.4 billion USD a year earlier, underlining the continued strength of the warehouse model in the closing stretch of fiscal 2026.

Quarter and year figures underline growth

A detailed summary of the company’s performance compiled by finanzen.ch on September 3, 2026, notes that total comparable sales for the fourth quarter rose 9.4 percent, with U.S. comparable sales up 10.7 percent, Canada up 5.0 percent and other international markets up 7.0 percent for the same period.

On a full-year basis, Costco’s net sales for the 52-week fiscal year ended August 30, 2026 reached 297.3 billion USD, representing a 10.2 percent increase from 269.9 billion USD in the previous fiscal year, while total comparable sales for the year advanced 8.4 percent, highlighting the company’s ability to grow well ahead of inflation in most markets.

Analyst views and valuation backdrop

An overview from Investing.com dated September 3, 2026 points out that Costco trades about 15.4 percent below its 52-week high of 1,096.50 USD, with the current price around 928.50 USD in pre-market trading, leaving the stock with room to revisit previous peaks if strong sales trends continue.

The same market snapshot lists a market capitalization of approximately 411.8 billion USD for Costco as of early September 2026, underscoring the company’s position among the largest U.S. consumer names and just shy of the 416.85 billion USD level cited by MarketBeat data for recent sessions.

Further analysis from GuruFocus on September 2, 2026 estimates a GF Value of 1,037.54 USD for Costco shares versus the then-prevailing market price of 928.48 USD, implying that the stock might be modestly undervalued by about 10.5 percent based on that intrinsic value model.

The broader analyst community also remains engaged: a summary of recent views compiled by Investing.com reports that DA Davidson currently rates Costco Neutral with a price target of 1,000.00 USD, while other firms such as Evercore ISI, Baird and Gordon Haskett have maintained positive ratings with price targets in the 1,100 to 1,200 USD range, framing expectations for continued earnings and margin expansion.

Quiet closure of Costco Next adds a twist

Beyond the headline sales figures, some attention has shifted to Costco’s digital strategy after reports that the retailer quietly shut down its Costco Next online marketplace. According to a report by USA Today published on September 2, 2026, the service, which allowed Costco members to order discounted products directly from several dozen partner brands, has been shuttered without prior notice, with members now directed to work directly with manufacturers for claims and returns.

A separate article from Infobae on September 3, 2026 confirms that the shutdown occurred on August 31, 2026, when Costco disabled access links on its website and mobile app, highlighting a strategic shift that could streamline customer service but removes one of the more experimental digital channels from the portfolio.

Warehouse expansion remains part of the growth story

While the closure of Costco Next raises questions about the future of certain online initiatives, the company continues to expand its physical footprint. As summarized by LiveNOW FOX on September 2, 2026, Costco is planning to open four new warehouses in October 2026 and still targets a long-term goal of more than 30 new warehouse openings annually, even after revising its near-term target to 26 new locations during a May 28 earnings call.

This pipeline of new clubs supports the double-digit growth in net sales seen in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 and provides investors with a tangible driver of future comparable-sales performance, particularly in underpenetrated regions.

Membership model and core offering

Costco Wholesale operates a membership-based warehouse model offering bulk groceries, household goods, electronics, apparel and services at discount prices to paying members, with a particular emphasis on high renewal rates and fee income as a stabilizing driver of profitability across cycles.

Core products range from private-label Kirkland Signature items in food and beverages to branded electronics and appliances, with the company’s assortment designed to drive traffic and basket size while reinforcing the value narrative that underpins membership renewals.

Stock price context for investors

As of the close on September 2, 2026, Costco Wholesale stock traded at 928.48 USD on the Nasdaq, compared with a 52-week high of 1,096.50 USD, leaving the shares 15.4 percent below their peak according to market data summarized by Investing.com.

With a market capitalization in the area of 411.8 billion to 416.85 billion USD as of early September 2026, Costco remains a heavyweight in the U.S. retail landscape, and the recent combination of high-single-digit to double-digit sales growth and disciplined warehouse expansion continues to frame the narrative for investors monitoring the stock’s next move.

Costco Wholesale key data

• Company: Costco Wholesale Corporation
• ISIN: US22160K1051
• Ticker: COST
• Trading venue: Nasdaq
• Price (as of September 2, 2026): 928.48 USD
• Market capitalization: 411.8 billion USD (as of September 3, 2026)
• Sector / Industry: Consumer Staples / Retail
• Index membership: S&P 500