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Trade Ideas

Global Trade Idea: Costco Wholesale Corp (COST US) - 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 robust international footprint. The company serves customers through its warehouses and e-commerce sites.

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.

Technically, a developing symmetrical triangle pattern in an uptrend presents a promising investment opportunity (see the black converging trendlines on the main chart). This pattern within an uptrend can support a bullish case as it often represents a period of consolidation where neither buyers nor sellers have clear control - highlighted in a price that creates a series of lower highs and higher lows, compressing into a tighter range. The contraction of the price range can build suppressed buying pressure, and a breakout to the upside.

The price in an upward sloping linear regression channel pattern also supports a bullish bias (see the insert). This pattern illustrates a sustained long-term uptrend, with the price consistently moving within and often testing the upper half of the channel. As the share price frequently trades near or above the regression line, indicating persistent buying interest and strong underlying demand, it further reinforces the bullish stance.

Share Information
Share Code COST
Industry Consumer Staples and Distribution
Market Capital (USD) 433.19 billion
One Year Total Return 13.52%
Return Year-to-Date 7.01%
Current Price (USD) 977
52 Week High (USD) 1 078
52 Week Low (USD) 8.56
Financial Year End September
The price is re-testing its 200-day simple moving average (SMA).

Consensus Expectations (Bloomberg)
FY24 FY25E FY26E FY27E
Headline Earnings per Share (USD) 16.56 18.13 20.04 22.11
Growth (%) 9.49 10.53 10.35
Dividend Per Share (USD) 19.36 4.79 5.31 7.13
Growth (%) -75.26 10.86 34.34
Forward PE (times) 53.87 48.74 44.17
Forward Dividend Yield (%) 0.49 0.54 0.73
Medium-term growth prospects remain positive.

Buy/Sell Rationale:

Technical Analysis:

    • The lower panel shows the confluence of technical analysis indicators. A positive reading supports a bullish bias, whereas a negative reading supports a bearish bias. A confluence of indicators occurs when multiple independent tools align to suggest the same market outcome, therefore the recurrence pattern of positive readings provides a bullish support, as they typically reappear within a short window. On average every 2.4 weeks, with a median of just one week.
    • Fading downside price momentum per the MACD histogram, as well as the sideways trajectory of the on-balance volume (OBV) indicator, supports our bullish view.
    • Our recommended entry range is $970 to $1 070, or as close as possible to $991.25 - a drop below this range would indicate a substantial change in price dynamics, giving reason to negate the trade idea.
    • Our target price is $1 100, representing ~11.0% upside from current levels.
    • According to forward calculations of the Relative Strength Index indicator, the stock will be overbought at $1 240, making our profit target realistic.
    • Our proposed time to exit is the start of November 2025, but investors can adjust for a longer or shorter time horizon, depending on price behaviour.
    • A drop below $950, or 4.2% below current levels, would suggest weakening technicals and a stop-loss is recommended at this level.
    • We expect moderate fluctuations in the future and therefore suggest a medium at-risk allocation for this trade. Increase exposure for a break above $1 070.

Fundamental view

    • Costco primarily generates revenue from five major product categories namely: food and sundries, non-foods, fresh food, warehouse ancillary and other businesses.
    • 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 United States (US), Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom (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 3Q25 ended June, net sales grew 8% to $62 billion due to strong demand across the company's geographies because of higher store traffic as well as resilience in ticket sales in the US. Net income grew 13% to $1.9 billion. The company also recently released strong July sales numbers with total comparable sales accelerating to 6.4% in the month from 5.8% in June and 4.3% in May.
    • 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 MSI - Time Exit
(Close the position)
ETN - Buy
(Continue to hold)
ABBV - Buy
(Continue to hold)
Entry 422.93 334.86 185.72
Current Price 471.20 363.30 198.64
Movement +11.4% +8.5% +7.0%
Comment The trade reached our time exit date and we closed the position. A price that seems to be developing wave b of the Elliott Wave price theory remains of interest. Remains above its 200-day SMA. Fading upside price momentum is a concern.

Our profit target is $395 with a trailing stop-loss at $339.
A price in an upward sloping inclining channel pattern remains of interest. Remains above its 200-day SMA. Upside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $216 and a trailing stop-loss at $177.60.
Time to exit 28 April 2026 20 August 2025

A well-defined inclining channel pattern remains of interest. Continues to test its 200-day SMA. Fading downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $331 with a trailing stop-loss at $286.
Share Name and Position MCD - Buy
(Continue to hold)
SKY - Buy
(Continue to hold)
ADP - Buy
(Continue to hold)
Entry 299.17 380.86 308.64
Current Price 301.64 376.61 299.63
Movement +0.8% -1.1% -2.9%
Comment Strong seasonal strength in the price remains of interest. Continues to test its 200-day SMA. The start of downside price momentum is a concern.

Our profit target is $428 with a trailing stop-loss at $365.
A developing rising wedge pattern remains of interest. Testing its 200-day SMA. Downside price momentum is a concern.

Our profit target is $336 with a trailing stop-loss at $298.
Time to exit 1 October 2025 28 October 2025 30 September 2025

Share Name and Position MET - Buy
(Continue to hold)
Entry 79.32
Current Price 76.56
Movement -3.5%
Comment A developing rising wedge pattern remains of interest. Remains below its 200-day SMA. Muted downside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $89 with a trailing stop-loss at $74.
Time to exit 29 August 2025

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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