Costco Wholesale Corp
NASDAQ: COST · CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES
Updated 2026-04-29
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for COST.
Valued
Valuation reasonably reflects current fundamentals. Limited margin of safety at these levels.
COST historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in COST's own 5Y range.
COST intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
COST valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 52.64x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 1.57x
Is COST overvalued in 2026?
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) currently trades at $1,014.53 per share with a market capitalization of $448,599,294,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock trades at a fair valuation with a Smart Value Score of 61/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 52.6x, above its 5-year median of 50.5x. The PEG ratio of 5.60 indicates the price has run ahead of the underlying growth rate.
Looking at its own history, COST is currently trading more expensive than 86% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 86th percentile of its historical range, a zone where forward returns have typically been muted.
Our discounted cash flow model estimates COST's intrinsic value at $530.40 per share, against the current market price of $1,014.53. This implies a premium to fair value of -88.29%. The current price sits well above what projected cash flows justify, implying investors are paying for growth that has not yet materialized.
The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: COST trades at a fair valuation on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 61/100. The valuation is defensible but offers no obvious bargain. Patience or a better entry price may reward disciplined buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is COST overvalued in 2026?
Based on a Smart Value Score of 61/100, COST is fairly valued. Price reasonably reflects current fundamentals with limited cushion in either direction.
What is COST's fair value?
Our DCF model estimates COST's intrinsic value at $530.40 per share, versus the current price of $1,014.53. This produces a margin of safety of -88.29%.
What P/E ratio does COST trade at?
COST trades at a P/E of 52.6x on trailing twelve-month earnings, compared to its 5-year median of 50.5x.
Is COST a buy based on valuation?
WallStSmart does not issue buy or sell recommendations. Our Smart Value Score of 61/100 reflects the combined read on growth, quality, and price. The profile is balanced. Best suited for investors with an existing thesis.
How does COST's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, COST currently sits in the 86th percentile of its own 5Y range. That is historically expensive relative to where it has traded over the period.
What is COST's Smart Value Score?
COST's Smart Value Score is 61/100. The Smart Value Score is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation attractiveness into a single 0-100 read. Scores above 75 are rare and indicate strong multi-factor alignment.