Costco Wholesale (COST) News Today

Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ: COST) shares rose today as the company reported strong fiscal third-quarter results, received multiple analyst price-target boosts, and outlined strategic growth initiatives—offsetting some concerns over sales headwinds and stock-split uncertainty.

• Reported Q3 earnings and revenue that beat Wall Street estimates, with an 8% year-over-year sales gain and robust e-commerce comp growth, sending shares up more than 3% after the announcement.
• Truist Financial raised its price target on COST from $995 to $1,042 (with a Hold rating), while Jefferies and BMO Capital reiterated Buy ratings with targets of $1,180 and $1,175, respectively.
• MarketBeat highlighted five key drivers—cash flow strength, digital investment, potential special dividend, positive analyst sentiment and a bullish technical uptrend—pointing toward new highs for the stock in 2025.
• Analysts at Truist, Evercore ISI and others highlighted market share gains and high membership renewal rates, calling Costco’s comp-sales performance the “strongest and most consistent” in retail.

• Costco is rolling out a ‘Scan & Pay’ app feature in warehouses to speed checkout, similar to rival Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go.
• Renewed speculation over a stock split emerged as shares approach record levels, though management says there is “no plan at this time.”
• Options activity ahead of earnings reflected mixed investor positioning amid tariff volatility and cautious macroeconomic views.

• Some reports noted Costco narrowly missed quarterly revenue expectations in certain regions, citing reduced consumer spending despite margin resilience.
• Truist’s Hold rating, despite the higher target, suggests limited near-term upside, projecting a slight downside from current levels.
• Ongoing tariff pressures and modest sales misses have raised questions about the timing of Costco’s next special dividend and overall sales momentum.

Overall, Costco’s beat-and-raise earnings landscape, combined with strategic investments and strong membership metrics, underpins today’s stock strength, even as investors monitor sales headwinds and valuation.