Discount Stores · NASDAQ
Current Price
$998.67
Intrinsic Value
Use the calculator below to estimate
Run a PE ratio stock valuation on Costco Wholesale Corporation with auto-filled earnings data, adjustable target PE, and instant fair value estimate.
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Australia, Spain, France, Iceland, China, and Taiwan. It offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories. The company offers sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, liquor, and tobacco and deli products; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, garden and patio products, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal products, office supplies, automotive care products, postages, tickets, apparel, small appliances, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and meat, produce, service deli, and bakery products. It also operates pharmacies, opticals, food courts, hearing-aid centers, and tire installation centers, as well as 636 gas stations; and offers business delivery, travel, same-day grocery, and various other services online in various countries. As of August 29, 2021, the company operated 815 membership warehouses, including 564 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 105 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 30 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 16 in South Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 12 in Australia, 3 in Spain, 1 in Iceland, 1 in France, and 1 in China. It also operates e-commerce websites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. The company was formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc. and changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999. Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington.
Earnings Yield
1.93%
ROE (TTM)
28.8%
Based on trailing twelve-month data, COST has earnings per share of N/A and trades at a PE ratio of N/A. These are key inputs for stock valuation using the PE ratio method.
The trailing twelve-month PE ratio of COST reflects how much investors pay per dollar of Costco Wholesale Corporation's earnings. This metric is most useful when compared to Discount Stores peers and the company's own historical range.
Whether COST is overvalued depends on comparing its PE ratio to Discount Stores peers, historical averages, and growth expectations. A PE above the sector average may indicate overvaluation, but high-growth companies often command premium multiples. Consider pairing PE analysis with a DCF model for a more complete picture.
To value Costco Wholesale Corporation using PE: (1) Compare the current PE against the Discount Stores median to assess relative pricing, (2) check the PEG ratio to adjust for growth expectations, (3) review the 5-year PE range to identify where the stock sits historically, and (4) estimate fair value by multiplying a target PE by forward EPS estimates. This relative approach complements DCF's absolute valuation.
The PEG ratio divides the PE ratio by the expected earnings growth rate, providing a growth-adjusted valuation metric. A PEG below 1.0 may indicate undervaluation relative to growth, while above 2.0 may suggest overvaluation. PEG is most reliable for companies with stable, predictable earnings growth.
PE ratio gives a quick relative read — how COST is priced versus Discount Stores peers. DCF provides an absolute value based on projected free cash flows. For COST, with a strong ROE of 28.8%, both methods are worth using — PE for a market-relative check, DCF to stress-test whether fundamentals justify the price. Each method has blind spots: PE ignores capital structure and cash flow quality, while DCF is sensitive to growth and discount rate assumptions.
