Core Insights - The focus on earnings remains in the retail sector, with major companies like Target, Best Buy, and Costco set to report results this week [1] - Recent earnings releases indicate stable consumer spending trends, although cumulative inflation poses challenges, particularly for lower-income groups [2] - Discretionary spending categories have shown weakness post-COVID, but Walmart's recent results suggest some improvement [3] Retail Performance - Target shares have performed well this year, up 15.6%, outperforming Walmart's 15% rise and the broader market's 0.6% gain [5] - Target is expected to report earnings of $2.17 per share on revenues of $30.52 billion, reflecting year-over-year declines of 10% and 1.3% respectively [6] - Best Buy is anticipated to report EPS of $2.48 on revenues of $13.91 billion, with year-over-year changes of -3.9% and -0.3% [7] Earnings Season Overview - 481 S&P 500 members have reported Q4 results, showing earnings up 15.1% on 9.4% higher revenues, with 74.8% beating EPS estimates [9][16] - Among 22 retailers in the S&P 500 that have reported, total Q4 earnings are up 6.9% from the previous year, with 50% beating EPS estimates, the lowest in the last five years [13][14] - Amazon's Q4 earnings were up 5.9% on 13.6% higher revenues, despite missing EPS and revenue expectations [15] Future Expectations - Estimates for the current period (2026 Q1) have recently declined after earlier increases [26] - The overall earnings picture suggests double-digit growth is expected in 2025 and 2026 [27]

I haven't covered one of my favorite stocks in my portfolio, Costco ( COST ), since May last year. It's been fairly uneventful for the wholesaler, with its stock price grinding down over the last few monthsWriter | Investment Advisor | Economics Wonk | Top 5% on TipRanks | Long Signal, Short Noise | Author of The Macro Obsession, a weekly newsletter on current events and trends in finance, tech, and the real economy. My work focuses on my quest to uncover narrative trends before mainstream financial media, ...

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Costco Wholesale. Our analysis of options history for Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) revealed 49 unusual trades.Delving into the details, we found 48% of traders were bullish, while 26% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 27 were puts, with a value of $1,967,223, and 22 were calls, valued at $1,454,208.Expected Price MovementsBased on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territ ...

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corp shares have increased as investors consider its position in a K-shaped economy, leveraging value pricing and loyal membership to attract diverse income groups [1] - BofA Securities analyst Christopher Nardone reinstated coverage with a price target of $1,185, indicating Costco's strong positioning in the current economic landscape [2] - Nardone emphasized that Costco's strategy of reinvesting in price and wages supports long-term share gains, reflecting confidence in steady comparable sales and durable margins [3] Group 2 - Costco is recognized as a pricing leader, consistently attracting significant traffic, and typically lowers prices when food inflation decreases, which enhances store visits [3] - The focused assortment of products supports quality, innovation, and pricing discipline, with the Kirkland brand accounting for approximately one-third of sales, enhancing supplier leverage and protecting merchandise margins [4] - The growth in executive membership tiers indicates customers are opting for added benefits, with executive members representing about half of total members and contributing significantly to revenue [4] Group 3 - A modest renewal slowdown has been acknowledged, but shifting demographics are seen as a positive factor, with younger, digitally engaged members expanding Costco's long-term opportunities [5] - Key medium-term risks identified include e-commerce execution and investments in AI [5] - As of the publication date, Costco shares were trading higher by 1.37% at $1,001.26 [5]

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corp shares have increased as investors consider its position in a K-shaped economy, leveraging value pricing and loyal membership to attract diverse income groups [1] - BofA Securities analyst Christopher Nardone reinstated coverage with a price target of $1,185, indicating Costco's strong positioning in the current economic climate [2] - Nardone emphasized that Costco's strategy of reinvesting in price and wages supports long-term share gains, reflecting confidence in steady comparable sales and durable margins [3] Group 2 - Costco is recognized as a pricing leader, consistently attracting significant traffic, and typically lowers prices when food inflation decreases, which enhances store visits [3] - The focused assortment of products supports quality, innovation, and pricing discipline, with the Kirkland brand accounting for about one-third of sales, enhancing supplier leverage and protecting merchandise margins [4] - The growth in executive membership tiers indicates customers are opting for added benefits, with executive members representing approximately half of total members and contributing most of the revenue [4] Group 3 - A modest renewal slowdown has been acknowledged, but shifting demographics are seen as a positive factor, with younger, digitally engaged members expanding Costco's long-term opportunities [5] - Key medium-term risks identified include e-commerce execution and investments in AI [5] - As of the publication date, Costco shares were trading higher by 1.37% at $1,001.26 [5]

Key Takeaways Costco is set to report Q2 results on March 5, with revenues projected at $69.22B, up 8.6% year over year.COST posted 9.3% January sales growth, with comparable sales rising 7.1% across regions.Costco's membership fee income is expected to climb, driven by Executive growth.As Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) prepares to unveil its second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings results on March 5, after the market closes, investors face an important decision: Should they buy the stock now or hold their ...

Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision via Getty Images Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Investors rotate from AI to A1 as breadth increases. (0:16) Krispy Kreme and Shake Shack surge on earnings. (1:13) S&P 500 triggers sixth Hindenburg Omen signal. (3:26) This is an abridged transcript of the podcast: Our top story so far, investors are going from AI to A1. Looking at forward valuations, the premium investors were paying for the mega caps has faded — and they’re now willing to pay up for ...

Costco (NASDAQ: COST), the world's largest warehouse club retailer, is often considered an evergreen investment. Yet over the past 12 months, its stock dipped 3% as the S&P 500 rose 16%. Let's see why it underperformed the market, and if it can bounce back over the next year. Image source: Getty Images. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both nee ...

The Retail – Discount Stores industry remains a strong pillar of the broader retail sector, benefiting from its focus on value, efficiency and consumer accessibility. Even as households face ongoing inflationary pressures and shifting spending patterns, discount retailers continue to attract steady foot traffic by offering competitive pricing, compelling assortments and convenient store formats. The ability to blend affordability with quality, spanning essentials, discretionary goods and private-label offer ...

分组1 - The article discusses the performance of Costco (COST), which has grown by 1.11% since the last analysis, underperforming the market [1] - The author previously rated Costco a "sell" over a year ago, indicating a negative outlook on the stock's performance [1] - The article highlights the investment strategy of a family office fund led by Amrita, focusing on sustainable, growth-driven companies that maximize shareholder equity [1] 分组2 - Amrita has experience in high-growth supply-chain start-ups and has worked with venture capital firms, enhancing her expertise in investment portfolios [1] - The newsletter "The Pragmatic Optimist," co-founded by Amrita, emphasizes financial literacy and aims to simplify complex macroeconomic concepts for better understanding [1] - The newsletter has been recognized as a top finance newsletter, indicating its influence and reach within the investment community [1]