Is Costco (COST) a Buy Right Now?
A plain-English read on Costco stock — what the chart and the numbers are saying today, with no jargon and no hype.
What this means, in plain English
Costco is currently trading at $947.82, which is below its 200-day average of $958. This 200-day average is a long-term trend line used to see if a stock is generally heading up or down. When the price stays below this level, it often signals a cooling period for investors.
The stock is also sitting below its 50-day average of $949.75. Additionally, the RSI—a gauge of whether a stock has climbed too far or fallen too fast—is at 50.3, which is right in the middle. This suggests the stock is currently lacking a clear direction and momentum.
Should you buy Costco stock?
Buying now requires caution because the price is struggling to stay above its key averages. It is often safer to wait for the stock to show clear strength rather than buying while it is trending downward. Always remember that current data points to a period of uncertainty.
Is COST a good stock for beginners?
Costco is a massive company, but its P/E ratio—the price you pay for each dollar of company earnings—is quite high at 52. This high valuation means the stock is not cheap and can be prone to sharper swings if expectations are not met.
What's driving COST right now
The current price of $947.82 sits below the 200-day average of $958.
The RSI of 50.3 indicates that the stock is currently stuck in a neutral zone.
The stock has a recent support level, or a price floor, near $910.5.
A P/E ratio of 52 suggests that investors are currently paying a premium for the company's earnings.
What Costco actually does
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. It offers merchandise, including sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, deli, liquor, and tobacco; non-food merchandise comprising appliances, small electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal, automotive, stamps, tickets, apparel, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and fresh food, such as meat, produce, service deli, and bakery products. The company is also involved in warehouse ancillary operations, which include gasoline, pharmacies, optical, food courts, hearing-aid centers, and tire installation centers. In addition, it engages in e-commerce, business centers, travel, and other businesses. The company was formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc. and changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999. Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington.
Costco by the numbers
Wall Street consensus on COST is Buy. That is the analyst community's view, shown for context — it is not our read and not a recommendation.
Costco's earnings history
Earnings per share for Costco's last 4 reported financial years, as filed — EPS has risen over that span. We don't hold analyst consensus estimates for these periods, so no beat-or-miss judgement is shown.
| Period end | EPS reported |
|---|---|
| 2025-08-31 | 18.24 |
| 2024-09-01 | 16.60 |
| 2023-09-03 | 14.18 |
| 2022-08-28 | 13.17 |
Who owns Costco?
Institutions — pension funds, asset managers, index providers — hold 74.0% of COST, and the concentration matters: the largest single holder alone controls 7.88% of the company.
| Holder | Shares | % held |
|---|---|---|
| 34.95M | 7.88% | |
| 28.85M | 6.50% | |
| 18.15M | 4.09% |
Names withheld — plus 3 more records not shown.
See who owns itWhat Costco insiders have been doing
Executives and directors must disclose their own trades in company stock. Of the last 6 disclosed transactions we hold for Costco, 3 were sales and 0 were open-market purchases; the other 3 were awards, vesting or option exercises rather than a decision to buy or sell. Insiders sell for many ordinary reasons — scheduled plans, tax, diversification — so a sale is not by itself a signal.
| Insider | Date | Type | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-10 | AWARD / VEST | 5.2K | — | |
| 2026-06-23 | SELL | 885 | $847.3K | |
| 2026-04-01 | SELL | 700 | $695.1K |
Names withheld — plus 3 more records not shown.
See which insidersThe numbers behind the read
Who in Washington has been trading COST?
Members of Congress must disclose trades over $1,000 within 45 days under the STOCK Act. At least 25 disclosures name COST — filed by 15 separate members or more and worth $137K–$580K combined (filings report bands, never exact amounts). 18 purchase-side, 7 sale-side, most recently on 2026-07-10.
| Member | Date | Action | Amount filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-10 | BUY | $1,001 - $15,000 | |
| 2025-11-05 | BUY | $1,001 - $15,000 | |
| 2025-03-17 | BUY | $1,001 - $15,000 |
Names withheld — plus 22 more records not shown.
See which membersWith the price trading below its major averages, it is best to be careful and observe how the stock handles its current floor.
Don't guess. Practice this trade first.
Buy it with virtual cash and watch how it plays out — before a dollar of your own is on the line.
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Beginner questions about COST
Should I buy COST stock?+
With the price at $947.82 and trending below its 200-day average, it is wise to be careful rather than rushing into a purchase.
Is COST a good long-term investment?+
While it is a well-known company, the high P/E ratio of 52 means you are paying a high price relative to earnings, which requires caution.
Is COST a buy or a sell?+
The data shows the stock is currently in a downward trend below its $958 average, suggesting a cautious approach is better than buying.
Is COST overvalued?+
With a P/E ratio of 52, the stock is priced at a level that reflects high expectations, which can be risky for new investors.
Is COST a good stock for beginners?+
Beginners should be aware that the stock is currently below its 50-day average of $949.75, indicating a period of volatility that requires careful monitoring.
Important disclaimer
This page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice, nor a recommendation, offer, or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold Costco (COST) or any other security. The Money GPS is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, or financial planner, and no content here should be relied upon to make an investment decision.
The verdict, indicators, and commentary are generated automatically — in part using AI — from third-party market data (via Yahoo Finance) that may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate, and is provided “as is” without any warranty. Figures reflect the market as of 2026-08-07 and change constantly; the read above may already be out of date. A “Buy,” “Hold,” or “Be Careful” label is a simplified, rules-based signal for beginners — not a price target or a guarantee of any outcome.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of your entire principal. Past performance and historical patterns do not guarantee future results. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial professional who knows your personal circumstances before investing. You are solely responsible for your own investment decisions. The Money GPS and its authors may hold positions in the securities discussed and accept no liability for any loss arising from the use of this information.