Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of long-term investing, highlighting the benefits of compounding and dividend reinvesting as key strategies for wealth creation [1] - It advocates for a balanced investment approach that combines steady accumulation of high-quality assets with high-risk, high-reward opportunities and transformative technologies [1] - The author expresses a commitment to investing in companies and industries that contribute positively to society, reflecting a values-driven investment philosophy [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific stock recommendations or investment advice, maintaining a neutral stance on the suitability of investments for individual investors [2][3] - It clarifies that the author has no financial positions in the companies mentioned, ensuring transparency in the analysis presented [2]

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) continued with its decent comparable sales growth in March. The performance reflects Costco’s ability to attract value-conscious shoppers with its competitive pricing and high-quality offerings.Decoding COST’s March CompsCOST’s comparable sales for March reflect its market strength. For the five weeks ended April 6, 2025, comparable sales in the United States, Canada and Other International markets grew 7.5%, 4.1% and 2.9%, respectively. Total company comparable sales ros ...

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corp reported March net sales of $25.51 billion, an increase of 8.6% from $23.48 billion last year [1] - The stock is currently priced at $986.50, reflecting a 2.2% increase, and has gained 36.7% over the last 12 months [1][2] - Loop Capital suggests that Costco could benefit from rising inflation amid tariffs [1] Group 2 - The stock is on track for a third consecutive daily gain, with recent trading activity showing a bounce off the $880 region, although there is overhead pressure at $1,000 [2] - Call volume is three times the intraday average, with 19,000 bullish bets compared to 6,620 puts, indicating a shift in sentiment [3] - The Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.26 is in the 80th percentile of annual readings, suggesting that short-term traders have been more bearish than usual [3] Group 3 - Costco stock has outperformed options traders' volatility expectations over the last 12 months, with a Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) of 86 out of 100, indicating a favorable environment for options trading [4]

Costco (COST) shares soared 6.2% in the last trading session to close at $965.19. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 2.3% loss over the past four weeks.U.S. stocks staged their biggest rally yesterday, after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all nations except China. Costco’s resilient business model, centered around a membership-based structure, continues to be a major growth ...

ISSAQUAH, Wash., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: COST) today reported net sales of $25.51 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 6, 2025, an increase of 8.6 percent from $23.48 billion last year. Net sales for the first 31 weeks were $158.87 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent from $146.64 billion last year. Comparable sales for the periods ended April 6, 2025, were as follows: 5 Weeks 31 Weeks U.S.7.5% 7.0% ...

Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) have shown a remarkable run on the bourses, surging 28.7% over the past year. This impressive uptick in the stock price has left investors contemplating whether this momentum can continue or if the stock is due for a pause. Consistent same-store sales growth, robust membership renewals and continued strength in high-frequency consumer categories are the reasons behind Costco’s rally. The company’s value-driven model and loyal customer base have made it a standou ...

Group 1: Tariff Announcement and Economic Impact - President Trump's tariff plan includes varying duties by country, potentially increasing prices for U.S. companies and consumers, leading to a decline in stock performance, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experiencing their worst performances since 2020 [1][2] - Higher prices from tariffs are expected to reduce consumers' buying power and increase costs for companies importing goods, raising concerns about a potential recession [2][3] Group 2: Tariff Details - The tariff plan initially targeted Mexico, Canada, and China but has been expanded to include all countries imposing tariffs on the U.S., with China facing a 54% tariff and the European Union a 20% duty [4] - A baseline tariff of 10% on all imports has been established, but the free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada remains unaffected, allowing certain goods to circulate tax-free [5][6] Group 3: Company Responses - Costco is well-prepared to handle tariffs, with CEO Ron Vachris stating the company can absorb or adjust prices due to its bulk ordering and local sourcing strategies, achieving over 20% savings for customers in China [7][8] - Target has over 45 private labels, with more than 10 generating $1 billion in annual revenue, providing flexibility to manage costs associated with tariffs [9][10] - Amazon may face challenges from tariffs but could benefit as competitors from China become less price-competitive due to the elimination of a tariff exemption on goods valued under $800 [11][12] Group 4: Long-term Outlook for Consumer Goods - Despite the immediate challenges posed by tariffs, strong consumer goods companies have the resources to navigate tough economic conditions, as they have previously managed rising inflation and supply chain disruptions [13] - The long-term prospects for quality consumer goods companies remain positive, with the recommendation for investors to hold onto quality stocks and consider adding positions during market dips [14]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale has consistently outperformed the broader market, generating a total return of 33% over the past 12 months, significantly ahead of the S&P 500's 9% [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Costco reported a net sales increase of 9.1%, driven by a same-store sales gain of 6.8%, primarily due to higher foot traffic [3] - Strong demand was noted across various categories, including gold and jewelry, gift cards, toys, and home furnishings, with all categories showing double-digit growth [4] - The membership model has proven effective, with a 6.8% year-over-year increase in membership base and a 93% renewal rate in the U.S. and Canada [5] Market Position and Resilience - Despite economic uncertainties, Costco is viewed as recession-resistant due to its broad product offerings at low prices, making it an all-weather business [8] - The company has maintained a strong growth trajectory, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) increasing at a compound annual rate of 11.5% over the past decade [6] Stock Performance Outlook - While Costco has a strong historical performance, predicting its stock performance over the next 12 months is challenging [9] - The stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.3, which is considered high given its EPS growth of 16.9% in fiscal 2024 and a forecasted 12.2% gain for the current fiscal year [10] - There is a belief that the stock may underperform the S&P 500 despite the potential for higher prices in the future [10]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale Corp is facing challenges due to tariffs impacting apparel and home furnishings, with expectations of a slowdown in sales growth [1] Sales Performance - The company is anticipated to report a deceleration in total comparable sales (comps) for March to 2.5%, down from 7.7% last year [1] - Traffic is expected to increase by 2.5% compared to 7.2% last year, as consumers seek value [3] Digital Sales and Pricing Impact - Digital sales growth is projected to slow to 5%, a significant drop from 28.3% last year [3] - Gas prices have declined by high single digits in March, contributing to a headwind of approximately 80 basis points [2] - Strength in the U.S. dollar may add an additional headwind of around 170 basis points [3] Product Categories - Non-food sales are expected to outperform, particularly in discretionary categories like gift cards [4] - Food & Sundries and Fresh Foods sales are anticipated to remain solid due to favorable at-home consumption and a value-focused assortment [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Costco Wholesale declined by 2.73% to $942.91 at the time of publication [4]

Core Viewpoint - The retail sector is facing economic challenges due to rising trade uncertainties and tariffs, but select blue-chip retailers possess the financial strength and adaptability to navigate these conditions effectively [1][2]. Industry Overview - Rising tariffs are increasing costs for retailers, particularly those with global supply chains, which can squeeze margins and lead to consumer price hikes [2]. - Established retail companies can adjust sourcing strategies and negotiate supplier contracts to offset rising costs, allowing them to manage economic uncertainties better than smaller competitors [2]. Blue-Chip Retailers - Market experts favor blue-chip stocks like Walmart Inc. (WMT), Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST), and The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) for long-term stability and growth due to their financial resilience and history of delivering robust returns [3][5]. - Blue-chip stocks are less vulnerable to market fluctuations and provide steady dividend payouts, making them attractive for both experienced and novice investors [4]. Company Highlights Walmart - Walmart's market capitalization is $719.6 billion, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.4% [8]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart's current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 3.4% and 4.8%, respectively, from the previous year [9]. - Walmart pays a quarterly dividend of about 23.5 cents per share, with a payout ratio of 33 and a five-year dividend growth rate of 2.9% [9]. Costco - Costco has a market capitalization of $428.2 billion, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.8% [10]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco's current financial-year sales and EPS implies growth of 7.7% and 11.4%, respectively, from the previous year [10]. - Costco pays a quarterly dividend of $1.16 per share, with a payout ratio of 28 and a five-year dividend growth rate of 13.2% [10]. Home Depot - Home Depot's market capitalization is $368.7 billion, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.6% [13]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Home Depot's current financial-year sales calls for growth of 2.7% from the previous year [13]. - Home Depot pays a quarterly dividend of $2.30 per share, with a payout ratio of 59 and a five-year dividend growth rate of 11.2% [13].