July 17, 2025 a 05:00 pm
COST: Analysts Ratings - Costco Wholesale Corporation
The stock of Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) consistently garners interest due to its renowned retail and e-commerce presence across various international markets. Over recent months, analyst sentiment has shown a stable bullish tone, with a predominant number of analysts suggesting a 'Buy' recommendation. In this analysis, we delve into the data to provide insights into current trends and future projections.
Historical Stock Grades
The analyst ratings for Costco on July 1, 2025, demonstrate a robust interest with a distinct skew towards buying recommendations.
| Recommendation | Number | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 5 | |
| Buy | 16 | |
| Hold | 14 | |
| Sell | 1 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
Over recent months, the sentiment surrounding Costco has remained predominantly positive with subtle fluctuations.
- Overall, the total number of ratings has seen a slight decrease, indicating a possible consolidation in analyst viewpoints.
- Notably, there is a steady increase in Hold recommendations, suggesting a cautious approach among analysts.
- The decline in Strong Buy ratings over the months points towards a more balanced expectation from the market.
Percentage Trends
Recent data reflect a shift in the percentage distribution of various analyst recommendations.
- The weight of Strong Buy ratings has decreased, indicating a more moderated optimism.
- With a slight increase in Hold ratings, there appears to be a cautionary sentiment echoing through the market analysis.
- Buy recommendations have maintained their majority share, indicating a sustained confidence in Costco’s growth prospects.
- Over the past year, a notable trend is the increased stability in 'Buy' versus a gradual disengagement from 'Strong Buy.'
Latest Analyst Recommendations
Here are the latest analyst recommendations highlighting a consistent outperform sentiment:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-03 | Outperform | Outperform | Telsey Advisory Group |
| 2025-06-17 | Outperform | Outperform | Evercore ISI Group |
| 2025-06-05 | Outperform | Outperform | Telsey Advisory Group |
| 2025-05-30 | Buy | Buy | Loop Capital |
| 2025-05-30 | Outperform | Outperform | Evercore ISI Group |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
The list below reflects changes in analyst opinion, indicating divergences in market expectations:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-24 | Hold | Buy | Truist Securities |
| 2024-09-10 | Neutral | Buy | Redburn Atlantic |
| 2024-08-08 | Buy | Accumulate | Gordon Haskett |
| 2024-04-03 | Accumulate | Buy | Gordon Haskett |
| 2023-12-20 | Neutral | Buy | Northcoast Research |
Interpretation
From the collected data, it is evident that the market sentiment towards Costco remains cautiously optimistic. Analysts have largely maintained a position of 'Buy' or 'Outperform', with a diverse range of opinions highlighting existing contrasts in market expectations. The gradual shift from 'Strong Buy' to more conservative assessments reflects an inherent uncertainty coupled with sustained confidence in the company's operational robustness.
Conclusion
Costco's strong standing in the retail sector is reflected in analyst ratings which predominantly call for buying or holding shares. As analysts adjust their perspectives, suggestions lean towards moderated optimism, reinforced by consistent performance metrics. The shift from bearish to more neutral views indicates an adaptive confidence in Costco amid changing macroeconomic factors. Investors and analysts alike should consider these sentiment shifts when strategizing future investments in Costco's stock.