Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) P/E Ratio History
Historical price-to-earnings valuation from 1990 to 2026
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Valuation Context
How does the current P/E compare to historical and market benchmarks?
P/E Ratio Analysis
As of March 2, 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.5x, with a stock price of $1010.79 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $18.68.
The current P/E is 24% above its 5-year average of 44.9x. Over the past five years, COST's P/E has ranged from a low of 36.1x to a high of 62.6x, placing the current valuation at the 85th percentile of its historical range.
Compared to the Consumer Defensive sector median P/E of 21.6x, COST trades at a 158% premium to its sector peers. The sector includes 150 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.0x to 195.7x.
The PEG ratio of 3.68 (P/E divided by 10% EPS growth) suggests the stock may be expensive relative to its earnings growth. Peter Lynch popularized the rule that a PEG below 1.0 indicates an attractive entry point.
Relative to the broader market, COST commands a significant premium over the S&P 500 median P/E of 26.2x. Investors should consider the company's growth prospects, competitive position, and earnings quality when evaluating whether the current valuation is justified.
For a comprehensive intrinsic value estimate using discounted cash flow analysis, see our COST DCF Valuation Calculator →
Note: P/E ratio is just one valuation metric. It does not account for balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, or growth sustainability. Always conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
Peer Comparison
P/E metrics vs. Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters peers
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WMTWalmart Inc. | $1.0T | 46.9 | 4.26 | +13%Best |
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation | $448B | 55.5 | 3.68 | +10% |
TGTTarget Corporation | $52B | 12.8Lowest | 1.87 | -1% |
BJBJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. | $13B | 24.7 | 1.02Best | +3% |
PSMTPriceSmart, Inc. | $5B | 32.1 | 2.36 | +5% |
Peers sorted by market capitalization. P/E below peers may indicate undervaluation or lower growth expectations. Consider PEG ratio for growth-adjusted comparison.
Historical P/E Data
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Date | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 Q1 | Sun Nov 23 2025 00:00:00 GM | $899.01 | $18.67 | 48.2x | +70% |
| FY2025 Q4 | Sun Aug 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $943.32 | $18.21 | 51.8x | +83% |
| FY2025 Q3 | Sun May 11 2025 00:00:00 GM | $1008.09 | $17.63 | 57.2x | +102% |
| FY2025 Q2 | Sun Feb 16 2025 00:00:00 GM | $1071.85 | $17.13 | 62.6x | +121% |
| FY2025 Q1 | Sun Nov 24 2024 00:00:00 GM | $964.01 | $17.03 | 56.6x | +100% |
| FY2024 Q4 | Sat Aug 31 2024 00:00:00 GM | $892.38 | $16.57 | 53.9x | +90% |
| FY2024 Q3 | Sun May 12 2024 00:00:00 GM | $787.19 | $16.14 | 48.8x | +72% |
| FY2024 Q2 | Sun Feb 18 2024 00:00:00 GM | $723.99 | $15.29 | 47.4x | +67% |
| FY2024 Q1 | Sun Nov 26 2023 00:00:00 GM | $591.36 | $14.67 | 40.3x | +43% |
| FY2023 Q4 | $549.28 | $14.16 | 38.8x | +37% | |
| FY2023 Q3 | Sun May 07 2023 00:00:00 GM | $499.06 | $13.50 | 37.0x | +31% |
| FY2023 Q2 | Sun Feb 12 2023 00:00:00 GM | $499.99 | $13.61 | 36.7x | +30% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 28.3x
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Start ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions
Is COST stock overvalued or undervalued?
COST trades at 55.5x P/E, above its 5-year average of 44.9x. The 85th percentile ranking indicates a premium to historical valuation.
How does COST's valuation compare to peers?
Costco Wholesale Corporation P/E of 55.5x compares to sector median of 21.6x. The premium reflects expected growth above peers.
What is COST's PEG ratio?
COST PEG ratio is 3.68. Above 2.0 indicates premium valuation relative to growth rate. Historical P/E data spans 1990-2026.