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Costco Wholesale (COST) Short Interest Ratio & Short Volume

Costco Wholesale logo
$902.38 -0.22 (-0.02%)
Closing price 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$902.38 0.00 (0.00%)
As of 07:59 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.
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Costco Wholesale Short Interest Overview

As of August 31, 2026, Costco Wholesale (COST) had a short interest of 7.58 million shares sold short, representing 1.71% of the public float. This marks a 2.89% increase in short interest since the prior report. The short interest ratio (days to cover) is 4.1, meaning it would take 4.1 days of the average trading volume of 1.76 million shares to cover all short positions.

Current Short Interest
7,577,940 shares
Previous Short Interest
7,364,782 shares
Change Vs. Previous Month
2.89%
Dollar Volume Sold Short
$7.15 billion
Short Interest Ratio
4.1 Days to Cover
Last Record Date
August 31, 2026
Outstanding Shares
443,480,000 shares
Short Percent of Float
1.71%
Today's Trading Volume
1,924,755 shares
Average Trading Volume
1,757,709 shares
Today's Volume Vs. Average
110%
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Short Interest ChartDays to Cover ChartShort Percent of Float Chart

COST Short Interest Over Time

COST Days to Cover Over Time

COST Percentage of Float Shorted Over Time

Costco Wholesale Tesla Short Interest History & Recent Changes

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Report DateTotal Shares Sold ShortDollar Volume Sold ShortChange from Previous ReportPercentage of Float ShortedDays to CoverPrice on Report Date
8/31/20267,577,940 shares $7.15 billion +2.9%1.7%4.09 $943.89
8/14/20267,364,782 shares $7.08 billion -3.8%1.7%4.38 $961.05
7/31/20267,655,966 shares $7.29 billion +10.0%1.7%3.75 $951.89
7/15/20266,957,664 shares $6.38 billion -4.5%1.6%2.75 $916.54
6/30/20267,284,892 shares $6.81 billion -7.1%1.6%2.44 $935.47
6/15/20267,837,886 shares $7.68 billion -0.5%1.8%3.61 $979.45
5/29/20267,878,688 shares $7.53 billion +7.1%1.8%2.68 $956.32
5/15/20267,357,205 shares $7.72 billion +9.4%1.7%3.99 $1,048.95
4/30/20266,725,461 shares $6.82 billion +2.7%1.5%4.08 $1,014.53
4/15/20266,550,081 shares $6.45 billion +4.0%1.5%3.42 $984.75
3/31/20266,300,039 shares $6.28 billion +0.1%1.4%3.87 $996.43
3/13/20266,295,610 shares $6.35 billion -1.5%1.4%3.23 $1,008.43
2/27/20266,388,788 shares $6.46 billion -8.8%1.4%3.5 $1,010.79
2/13/20267,002,026 shares $7.13 billion -1.7%1.6%2.9 $1,018.48
1/30/20267,122,161 shares $6.70 billion -9.4%1.6%2.75 $940.25
1/15/20267,859,282 shares $7.52 billion +5.4%1.8%2.72 $956.75
12/31/20257,456,384 shares $6.43 billion +10.7%1.7%2.65 $862.34
12/15/20256,737,305 shares $5.80 billion -12.3%1.5%2.29 $860.56
11/28/20257,678,174 shares $7.01 billion +6.4%1.7%2.94 $912.90
11/14/20257,220,010 shares $6.66 billion +4.1%1.6%2.92 $922.98
10/31/20256,934,489 shares $6.32 billion -0.2%1.6%3.24 $911.45
10/15/20256,950,000 shares $6.64 billion +3.9%1.6%3 $954.99
9/30/20256,690,000 shares $6.19 billion +2.3%N/A2.9 $925.63
9/15/20256,540,000 shares $6.28 billion -4.4%N/A3 $960.10
8/31/20256,840,000 shares $6.45 billion +15.7%1.5%3.3 $943.32
8/15/20255,910,000 shares $5.74 billion +6.1%N/A2.7 $972.04
7/31/20255,570,000 shares $5.23 billion +14.6%1.3%2.6 $939.64
7/15/20254,860,000 shares $4.70 billion -14.4%N/A2.4 $967.68
6/30/20255,680,000 shares $5.62 billion +10.7%1.3%2.5 $989.94
6/15/20255,130,000 shares $5.08 billion -6.0%1.2%2.3 $990.21
5/31/20255,460,000 shares $5.73 billion -11.5%1.2%2.3 $1,048.78
5/15/20256,170,000 shares $6.23 billion +2.3%1.4%2.5 $1,010.47
4/30/20256,030,000 shares $6.00 billion -0.2%N/A2.5 $994.50
4/15/20256,040,000 shares $5.90 billion +1.5%1.4%2.5 $976.92
3/31/20255,950,000 shares $5.63 billion -13.4%1.3%2.5 $945.78
3/15/20256,870,000 shares $6.21 billion -3.0%1.6%3.1 $903.92
2/28/20257,080,000 shares $7.42 billion +2.0%1.6%3.3 $1,048.61
2/15/20256,940,000 shares $7.44 billion +17.8%1.6%3.5 $1,071.85
1/31/20255,890,000 shares $5.77 billion -7.4%1.3%2.9 $979.88
1/15/20256,360,000 shares $5.87 billion -2.8%N/A3.3 $923.50
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12/31/20246,540,000 shares $5.99 billion +1.4%N/A3.5 $916.27
12/15/20246,450,000 shares $6.38 billion -2.1%N/A3.3 $989.35
11/30/20246,590,000 shares $6.40 billion +1.5%1.5%3.6 $971.88
11/15/20246,490,000 shares $5.89 billion +8.4%1.5%3.5 $907.07
10/31/20245,990,000 shares $5.24 billion -2.6%1.4%3.4 $874.18
10/15/20246,150,000 shares $5.50 billion -9.8%1.4%3.4 $894.61
9/30/20246,820,000 shares $6.05 billion -4.2%N/A3.5 $886.52
9/15/20247,120,000 shares $6.52 billion -2.9%N/A3.7 $916.00
8/31/20247,330,000 shares $6.54 billion +7.0%N/A3.9 $892.38
8/15/20246,850,000 shares $6.01 billion +4.6%N/A3.5 $877.35
7/31/20246,550,000 shares $5.38 billion -7.9%N/A3.4 $822.00
7/15/20247,110,000 shares $6.03 billion -0.6%N/A3.8 $848.73
6/30/20247,150,000 shares $6.08 billion +9.0%N/A4.1 $849.99
6/15/20246,560,000 shares $5.61 billion +3.1%N/A3.7 $855.67
5/31/20246,360,000 shares $5.15 billion -3.6%N/A3.5 $809.89
5/15/20246,600,000 shares $5.19 billion +7.5%N/A3.4 $787.04
4/30/20246,140,000 shares $4.44 billion -2.5%1.4%3.1 $722.90
4/15/20246,300,000 shares $4.53 billion -0.9%1.4%3.1 $718.28
3/31/20246,360,000 shares $4.66 billion -5.9%1.4%3 $732.63
3/15/20246,760,000 shares $4.91 billion +0.5%1.5%3.1 $725.63
2/29/20246,730,000 shares $5.01 billion +6.5%1.5%2.8 $743.89
2/15/20246,320,000 shares $4.58 billion +10.3%1.4%3 $724.51
1/31/20245,730,000 shares $3.98 billion -5.0%1.3%2.7 $694.88
1/15/20246,030,000 shares $4.12 billion -2.1%1.4%2.9 $683.24
12/31/20236,160,000 shares $4.07 billion +7.5%1.4%3 $660.08
12/15/20235,730,000 shares $3.78 billion +14.6%1.3%2.7 $658.82
11/30/20235,000,000 shares $2.96 billion -5.8%1.1%2.8 $592.74
11/15/20235,310,000 shares $3.17 billion +20.4%1.2%3.1 $596.78
10/31/20234,410,000 shares $2.44 billion -6.2%1.0%2.6 $552.44
10/15/20234,700,000 shares $2.66 billion +8.6%1.1%2.9 $566.84
9/30/20234,330,000 shares $2.45 billion +6.4%1.0%2.6 $564.96
9/15/20234,070,000 shares $2.26 billion -1.5%0.9%2.6 $556.36
8/31/20234,130,000 shares $2.27 billion +2.2%0.9%2.6 $549.28
8/15/20234,040,000 shares $2.26 billion -2.7%0.9%2.3 $558.51
7/31/20234,150,000 shares $2.33 billion -3.0%0.9%2.3 $560.67
7/15/20234,280,000 shares $2.34 billion +11.2%1.0%2.3 $546.70
6/30/20233,850,000 shares $2.07 billion -6.3%0.9%2.1 $538.38
6/15/20234,110,000 shares $2.17 billion +15.1%0.9%2.3 $529.18
5/31/20233,570,000 shares $1.83 billion +6.3%N/A1.9 $511.56
5/15/20233,360,000 shares $1.69 billion -4.0%0.8%1.8 $502.04
4/30/20233,500,000 shares $1.76 billion -6.9%0.8%1.9 $503.22
4/15/20233,760,000 shares $1.85 billion +11.9%0.9%2 $491.30
3/31/20233,360,000 shares $1.67 billion -4.6%0.8%1.8 $496.87
3/15/20233,520,000 shares $1.71 billion +14.7%0.8%1.8 $485.66
2/28/20233,070,000 shares $1.49 billion +2.7%0.7%1.5 $484.18
2/15/20232,990,000 shares $1.53 billion +0.7%0.7%1.4 $511.28
1/31/20232,970,000 shares $1.52 billion -18.0%0.7%1.4 $511.14
1/15/20233,620,000 shares $1.76 billion -18.5%0.8%1.6 $485.25
12/30/20224,440,000 shares $2.03 billion +5.5%1.0%2 $456.50
12/15/20224,210,000 shares $1.95 billion -13.2%1.0%1.8 $463.91
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11/30/20224,850,000 shares $2.62 billion +5.0%1.1%2.1 $539.25
11/15/20224,620,000 shares $2.43 billion +1.3%1.1%2.2 $526.47
10/31/20224,560,000 shares $2.29 billion -1.5%1.0%2.2 $501.50
10/15/20224,630,000 shares $2.11 billion +10.8%1.1%2.2 $454.65
9/30/20224,180,000 shares $1.97 billion -1.9%1.0%1.9 $472.27
9/15/20224,260,000 shares $2.14 billion +3.9%1.0%2 $503.50
8/31/20224,100,000 shares $2.14 billion -3.1%0.9%1.9 $522.10
8/15/20224,230,000 shares $2.31 billion +11.6%1.0%1.7 $545.75
7/31/20223,790,000 shares $2.05 billion +3.3%0.9%1.3 $541.30
7/15/20223,670,000 shares $1.92 billion -1.9%0.8%1.3 $522.95
6/30/20223,740,000 shares $1.79 billion -9.7%0.9%1.3 $479.28
6/15/20224,140,000 shares $1.90 billion +0.5%1.0%1.4 $458.79
5/31/20224,120,000 shares $1.92 billion +4.3%N/A1.4 $466.22
5/15/20223,950,000 shares $1.96 billion -12.8%0.9%1.4 $497.27
4/30/20224,530,000 shares $2.41 billion +9.2%N/A1.8 $531.72
4/15/20224,150,000 shares $2.45 billion +1.2%N/A1.7 $590.39
3/31/20224,100,000 shares $2.36 billion +0.2%N/A0 $575.85
3/15/20224,090,000 shares $2.22 billion -7.5%N/A1.6 $542.32
2/28/20224,420,000 shares $2.30 billion -7.1%N/A1.6 $519.25
2/15/20224,760,000 shares $2.45 billion +5.1%N/A1.8 $513.92
1/31/20224,530,000 shares $2.29 billion +4.6%N/A1.8 $505.13
1/15/20224,330,000 shares $2.18 billion -11.3%N/A1.7 $502.99
12/31/20214,880,000 shares $2.77 billion +8.2%N/A2.1 $567.70
12/15/20214,510,000 shares $2.55 billion +22.9%N/A2 $565.48
11/30/20213,670,000 shares $1.98 billion -13.9%0.8%1.8 $539.38
11/15/20214,260,000 shares $2.21 billion -3.2%1.0%2.4 $519.89
10/29/20214,400,000 shares $2.16 billion -5.0%1.0%2.5 $491.54
10/15/20214,630,000 shares $2.09 billion -6.5%1.1%2.7 $452.39
9/30/20214,950,000 shares $2.22 billion -5.7%1.1%2.9 $449.35
9/15/20215,250,000 shares $2.42 billion +2.1%1.2%3.1 $460.73

COST Short Interest - Frequently Asked Questions

Short interest is the volume of Costco Wholesale shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. As of August 31st, investors have sold 7,577,940 shares of COST short. 1.71% of Costco Wholesale's shares are currently sold short. Learn More on Costco Wholesale's current short interest.

The short interest ratio, also known as the "days to cover ratio", is calculated by dividing the number of shares of a stock sold short divided by its average trading volume. A short interest ratio ranging between 1 and 4 generally indicates strong positive sentiment about a stock and a lack of short sellers. A short interest ratio of 10 or greater indicates strong pessimism about a stock. COST shares currently have a short interest ratio of 4.1. Learn More on Costco Wholesale's short interest ratio.

Companies that have a short interest as a percentage of float below 10% indicates positive investor sentiment and few short sellers. Stocks with a short interest percentage above 10% is considered high, suggesting some investors are pessimistic about the stock. Companies with a short interest percentage of 20% or more indicates widespread negative sentiment. 1.71% of Costco Wholesale's floating shares are currently sold short.

Costco Wholesale saw a increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 7,577,940 shares, an increase of 2.9% from the previous total of 7,364,782 shares. Changes in short volume can be used to identify positive and negative investor sentiment. Investors that short sell a stock are betting that its price will decline in the future. An increase in short sale volume suggests bearish (negative) sentiment among investors. A decrease on short sale volume suggests bullish (positive) sentiment.

1.71% of Costco Wholesale's shares are currently sold short. Here is how the short interest of companies compare to Costco Wholesale: Amazon.com, Inc. (0.94%), Casey's General Stores, Inc. (3.78%), lululemon athletica inc. (11.41%), Ross Stores, Inc. (2.73%), Ulta Beauty Inc. (5.25%), Walmart Inc. (1.08%), Burlington Stores, Inc. (3.20%), The Home Depot, Inc. (0.89%), Procter & Gamble Company (The) (1.21%), Target Corporation (3.49%),

As of the most recent reporting period, the following stocks had the largest short interest positions: SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ($62.68 billion), Invesco QQQ ($47.06 billion), iShares Russell 2000 ETF ($23.54 billion), SPDR S&P Biotech ETF ($12.10 billion), Nebius Group N.V. ($9.34 billion), Western Digital Corporation ($8.96 billion), Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund ($8.16 billion), iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF ($7.98 billion), iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF ($7.52 billion), and VanEck Semiconductor ETF ($7.39 billion). View all of the most shorted stocks.

Short selling COST is an investing strategy that aims to generate trading profit from Costco Wholesale as its price is falling. COST shares are trading down $0.22 today. To short a stock, an investor borrows shares, sells them and buys the shares back on the public market later to return it to the lender. Short sellers are betting that a stock will decline in price. If the stock does drop after selling, the short seller buys it back at a lower price and returns it to the lender. The difference between the sell price and the buy price is the trader's profit.

A short squeeze for Costco Wholesale occurs when it has a large amount of short interest and its stock increases in price. This forces short sellers to cover their short interest positions by buying actual shares of COST, which in turn drives the price of the stock up even further.

Short interest is typically published by a stock exchange once per month. However, NASDAQ publishes a report for U.S. stocks, including COST, twice per month. The most recent reporting period available is August, 31 2026.

Understanding short interest metrics can help you assess how traders are positioning around a stock like COST:

  • Shares Sold Short: The total number of shares that have been sold by short sellers but have not yet been covered or closed out. A high number may indicate bearish sentiment.
  • Short Float: The percentage of a company’s publicly available shares (or "float") that are sold short. A higher short float suggests a greater portion of the stock is being bet against.
  • Days to Cover (Short Interest Ratio): This estimates how many days it would take short sellers to cover their positions, based on average daily trading volume. Higher values can signal potential for a short squeeze if buying pressure increases.

These metrics are often used by traders to gauge sentiment, volatility risk, and the potential for price movements based on short covering activity.


Related Companies
Short Interest Tools

Short interest data for NASDAQ:COST is sourced from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), with the most recent report published on 9/10/2026. FINRA publishes updated short interest twice a month.
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