Costco is a strong dividend growth stock, but investors have pushed the price near all-time highs. Realty Income is in a different position.On the surface, retailer Costco Wholesale (COST -0.77%) and real estate investment trust (REIT) Realty Income (O 0.57%) have little in common.One of the biggest differences between these reliable dividend stocks today is found on the valuation front, with Costco looking historically expensive and Realty Income relatively cheap. A lot of investors, particularly those in ...

Buying great businesses when they're on sale is an excellent wealth-building strategy.With volatility returning to the stock market in recent days, patient investors may soon have an opportunity to scoop up shares of some outstanding companies at a discount. Here are three elite stocks to place near the top of your buy list.Costco WholesaleConsumers love to buy quality merchandise at bargain prices. Costco Wholesale (COST -0.77%) has long made masterful use of this simple yet difficult-to-replicate formula ...

Costco has raised membership fees for the first time since 2017. Explore how this change could affect its stellar stock performance and customer loyalty.Costco Wholesale (COST -0.77%) recently announced its first membership fee increase since 2017, raising questions about the potential impact on its stock performance.Costco remains one of the strongest forces in the retail sector, known for its robust growth and loyal customer base. The new fee hike, along with new membership scanners aimed at enhancing ser ...

Costco just announced big news, again.Costco Wholesale (COST 1.70%) is a pretty straightforward retail stock. It doesn't come with the glitz and glamor of tech, and it's been a steady market-beating stock over its decades on the market. But the past few months have been a nonstop, action-packed story for the warehouse giant.The most recent announcement is that it's cracking down on non-members coming into the store. Let's see what's been happening at Costco and whether or not this is something to worry abou ...

The U.S. economy is likely expanding significantly, as the Federal Reserve is now predicting that the economy will grow by a strong, seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 2.9% above inflation during the current quarter. Still, the U.S. unemployment rate surged to 4.3% in July — up from 4.1% in June. The savings rate tumbled to 3.4% of after-tax income in June 2024 from 4.8% during the same period a year earlier. Further, multiple, major companies, including Disney (NYSE:DIS), Macy’s (NYSE:M), and Amazon ( ...

The U.S. Commerce Department reported that retail sales in June remained unchanged, countering concerns about the economy entering a recession. The stability in retail sales –and, by extension, retail stocks — was primarily due to a balance between a decline in auto dealership receipts and robustness in other sectors, suggesting a resilient consumer base and supporting a positive outlook for economic growth in the second quarter.The department’s findings also indicated that retail sales in May were higher t ...

This prediction might look bold, given the stock's impressive gain in recent years.One of the best-performing stocks in recent memory could not be further from the tech sector or the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) boom. I'm talking about Costco (COST -0.24%). Shares of the warehouse-club operator have produced a total return of 233% in the past five years, outpacing the S&P 500 by 96%.While the retail stock has continued its momentum throughout 2024, I'm not bullish as we look ahead. I predict that Co ...

These stocks are on the expensive side, but if their prices fall, it'll be the opportunity you've been waiting for.A market sell-off never feels good, but the smartest investors know it presents an opportunity too. After you get over your initial feelings of worry, your next move should be to start looking for bargains.If the market continues to decline in the coming weeks and months, Costco Wholesale (COST 0.14%), MercadoLibre (MELI 0.76%), and Shopify (SHOP 2.33%) are three stocks to keep a close eye on. ...

slobo Investment Thesis As concerns about a potential US recession loom, investors are worried that companies, like Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) may fall victim. Other US retailers, such as Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), have already reported signs of weakening consumer spending (which I will expand on later in this article), indicating that some segments of the market are under pressure. At first glance, Costco might appear vulnerable to these same recessionary fears. However, I think this perspec ...

Costco has a wonderful business, but the stock's current valuation reflects those attributes.Costco Wholesale (COST 1.01%) has emerged as one of the most successful and admired retail companies. Its approach of selling high-quality goods in bulk at discounted prices continues to draw increasing sales, new warehouse openings, and membership renewals.This success has come with one unfortunate consequence for those who do not hold shares in the retail stock: an expensive valuation. With its price-to-earnings r ...