Costco (COST) stock has risen 1.0% over the past week and 3.7% over the past month, though it is still down 2.1% over the last 12 months. Wall Street’s analysts are strongly bullish, forecasting upside over the next twelve months with a consensus price target of $1,076.40 versus a last close of $994.76.
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Analyst Christopher Nardone has reinstated coverage with a Buy rating and set a price target of $1,185.00, implying solid upside from recent trading levels. Nardone ranks 1,666 out of 12,078 on TipRanks, with a 59% success rate and an average return of 13.8% per rating, adding weight to his positive stance.
In his view, Costco blends upper-income appeal with strong value, making it a winner in a K-shaped economy where spending patterns are split. The company’s strategy of reinvesting in prices and wages is seen as a key engine for continued market share gains as shoppers search for the best deals.
Nardone highlights Costco’s status as a price leader, especially as food inflation cools and the chain moves first to cut prices, drawing more traffic. Its focused 4,000-item store model and powerful Kirkland brand, which accounts for about a third of sales, support strong merchandising and margin consistency.
Executive memberships are another bright spot, with 9–10% growth at the higher $130 tier and these members driving roughly 75% of revenue, though overall renewal rates have slowed modestly. The main risk he flags is whether Costco can keep up in ecommerce and AI, as growing digital membership raises the bar for technology and convenience; never miss a stock rating and find all the latest ratings on TipRanks’ Top Wall Street Analysts page.