Costco (COST) shares gained over 1% in the extended trading session after the retailer posted another month of solid sales growth. The company reported sales of $29.86 billion in December 2025, reflecting an 8.5% jump from the previous year. Costco’s performance benefited from steady traffic, strong international performance, and continued momentum in e‑commerce.
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For the first 18 weeks of its fiscal year, Costco generated $101.83 billion in sales, up 8.3% from last year. Comparable sales, a key retail metric, rose 7% in December. This was led by 10.6% growth in international markets, 8.4% in Canada, and 6% in the U.S.
Digital sales were another bright spot, jumping 18.9% for the month as holiday shopping shifted online.
Costco’s steady sales growth, especially during the holiday season, helps justify its premium valuation. Also, with analysts expecting about 8% revenue growth in Fiscal 2026, the latest results suggest the warehouse giant is on track.
Mizuho Adds Costco Stock to Top Picks List
Mizuho Securities analyst David Bellinger recently updated his Top Picks list for 2026, adding Costco and Tractor Supply (TSCO) while removing Walmart (WMT), Lowe’s (LOW), and O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY). He said the changes reflect recent stock performance, business trends, and valuations.
The analyst also upgraded Costco to Buy and raised its price target to $1,000 (13.3% upside), noting that the recent 20% pullback in the stock is likely temporary. He believes Costco’s strong sales growth and easing cost pressures make it a solid pick for the year ahead.
Is COST Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, COST stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 17 Buys, five Holds, and one Sell assigned in the last three months. At $1,046.69, the average Costco price target implies an 18.59% upside potential. The stock has gained 2.35% year-to-date.
