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Trade Ideas

Global Trade Idea: Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) - BUY

 

By Peet Serfontein & Khumbulani Kunene

Costco Wholesale Corporation is a membership warehouse club that sells a variety of food, automotive supplies, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewellery, electronics, apparel, health, and beauty aids, as well as other goods with a sizeable international footprint.

Founded in 1983, the company has grown into one of the world's largest retailers, offering a limited selection of bulk, high-quality products - both well-known brands and its private label, Kirkland Signature, at attractive prices through tight markup controls and efficient operations. Costco operates an international chain of membership warehouses, mainly under the Costco Wholesale banner.

Technically a developing bullish pennant pattern (see the black converging trendlines on the main chart) typically supports a constructive outlook for a stock, as it reflects a short consolidation phase following a strong upward move. The current price near the lower range of the supporting trendline, reinforces underlying demand and offers a potential accumulation zone for buyers.

The DPO's (De-trended Price Oscillator) stabilisation close to the -2 standard deviation band supports a bullish bias for the stock (see the insert on the main chart). The stock price may be entering a phase of mean reversion.

Fading downside price momentum per the MACD histogram and the recent upward trajectory of the on-balance volume (OBV) indicator supports our bullish view.

Share Information
Share Code COST US
Industry Consumer Staples Distributions
Market Capital (USD) 415.5 billion
One Year Total Return 5.46%
Return Year-to-Date 2.70%
Current Price (USD) 937.50
52 Week High (USD) 1 078.24
52 Week Low (USD) 867.34
Financial Year End August
The price is approaching its 200-day simple moving average (SMA) from below, which also supports a bullish case for the stock

Consensus Expectations (Bloomberg)
FY25 FY26E FY27E FY28E
Headline Earnings per Share (USD) 18.21 20.05 22.12 24.47
Growth (%) 10.08 10.35 10.62
Dividend Per Share (USD) 4.92 5.34 6.92 5.91
Growth (%) 8.43 29.67 -14.63
Forward PE (times) 46.07 41.74 38.31
Forward Dividend Yield (%) 0.57 0.74 0.63
Medium-term growth prospects remain positive, with momentum expected to improve over the next few financial periods.

Buy/Sell Rationale:

Technical Analysis:

    • The lower panel shows occurrences of the Three Outside Up Japanese candlestick pattern. A reading of one indicates when such a pattern occurred. This pattern is a classic bullish reversal signal. This three-candle formation begins with a bearish candle, followed by a larger bullish second candle that fully engulfs the first, and a third bullish candle that confirms the reversal with a higher close (see the insert). This reflects a clear shift in sentiment from bearish to bullish.
    • Our recommended entry range is $935.00 to $940.00, or as close as possible to $937.50 - a drop below this range would indicate a substantial change in price dynamics, giving reason to negate the trade idea.
    • Our target price is $1 038.00, representing ~10.7% upside from current levels.
    • According to forward calculations of the Relative Strength Index indicator, the stock will be overbought at $1 170.00, making our profit target realistic.
    • Our proposed time to exit is mid-December 2025, but investors can adjust for a longer or shorter time horizon, depending on price behaviour.
    • A drop below $898.00, or 4.2% below current levels, would suggest weakening technicals and a stop-loss is recommended at this level.
    • We expect moderate price fluctuations and suggest a medium at-risk allocation for this trade. Increase exposure for a break above $940.00.

Fundamental view:

    • Costco Wholesale Corporation has over 895 warehouses across 15 countries and serves about 136 800 cardholders, while operating self-service gasoline stations at several of its US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, Spain, Mexico, Taiwan, and Iceland locations.
    • Customers must be members to shop at Costco, with the Gold Star memberships available to individuals and the Business memberships limited to businesses and individuals with business licences.
    • The business generates most of its revenue from the US (~70%), followed by Canada (~15% of revenue) and the international market (~15% of revenue).
    • While the company is focused on organic growth, the acquisition of Innovel Solutions (2020) has enabled the company to enhance its product offering, particularly in last mile delivery.
    • In FY25 ended August, net sales grew 8% to $270 billion driven by an increase in comparable sales and sales at new warehouses. This was supported by strong demand across the company's geographies, amid a 5% increase in shopping frequency and a 1% uptick in average ticket. Net income increased 10% to $8.1 billion.
    • Consensus is positive on the stock from a fundamental perspective with nearly 98% of analysts with either a BUY or NEUTRAL rating on the company.
    • From a risk perspective, Costco is exposed to economic headwinds such as inflation pressures which may impact consumer spending, as well as tariff exposure and foreign exchange headwinds. Tight competition from industry heavyweights like Walmart remain a challenge.

Share Name and Position ETN - Buy
(Continue to hold)
ABNB - Buy
(Continue to hold)
KMI - Buy
(Continue to hold)
Entry 334.86 122.89 26.74
Current Price 373.46 128.56 27.50
Movement +11.5% +4.6% +2.8%
Comment A price developing wave b of the Elliott Wave price theory remains of interest. Remains above its 200-day SMA. Muted downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $395.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $349.00.
A developing symmetrical triangle pattern remains of interest. Testing its 200-day simple moving average. Fading downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $141.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $120.50.
The combination of a sustained uptrend in price and supportive AI-based forecasts remains of interest. Testing its 200-day simple moving average. Muted downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $30.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $26.10.
Time to exit 28 April 2026 29 December 2025 7 November 2025

Share Name and Position OTIS - Buy
(Continue to hold)
KR - Buy
(Continue to hold)
ADTN - Buy
(Continue to hold)
Entry 91.43 66.88 9.28
Current Price 92.70 67.60 9.33
Movement +1.4% +1.1% +0.5%
Comment The formation of a developing symmetrical triangle pattern remains of interest. Remains below its 200-day SMA. Upside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $100.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $88.00.
A developing rising wedge pattern remains of interest. Testing its 200-day simple moving average. Fading downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $76.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $63.50.
The ability of the price to hold firm around historically active trading ranges remains of interest. Testing its 200-day simple moving average. Muted downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $11.50 with a trailing stop-loss at $8.50.
Time to exit 17 December 2025 26 January 2026 22 December 2025

Share Name and Position MSCI - Stop Loss
(Close the Position)
Entry 567.02
Current Price 533.34
Movement -5.9%
Comment The stock hit its stop-loss level, prompting the position to be closed.
Time to exit 9 January 2026

FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of FirstRand Bank Limited, an authorised Financial Services Provider and authorised user of the JSE limited (Reg no: 1996/011732/07). This Publication note is issued by FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd for the information of clients only and should not be produced in whole or part without prior permission. Although FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd is an Authorised Financial Services Provider, any opinions and/or analysis contained in this Publication are for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice, including but not limited to financial, legal or tax advice, or a recommendation to invest in any security or to adopt any investment strategy. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources/persons which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed for correctness, completeness or otherwise and we do not assume liability for loss arising from errors in the information or that may be suffered from using or relying on the information contained herein irrespective of whether there has been any negligence by us, our affiliates or any other employees of us, and whether such losses be direct or consequential. As market and economic conditions are subject to rapid change, any comments, opinions, and analysis is rendered as of the date of publishing and may change without notice. Such changes may have a material impact on the outcome of any investment. Securities involve a degree of risk and are volatile instruments. Past performance is not indicative of future performances. Securities or financial instruments mentioned in the Publication note may not be suitable for all investors and FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd has bares no responsibility whatsoever arising from or as a consequence hereof. The material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any share, instrument, sector, region, market, country, investment, or strategy. The recipient of this Publication must make their own investment decision and is advised to contact his relationship manager for a personal financial analysis prior to making any investment decisions. Copyright 2018 by FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd.

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