COST PE Ratio 2026
Costco Wholesale Corp Price to Earnings Analysis
Current P/E Ratio
54.95
Stock Price
$940.87
Valuation
Overvalued
PE Ratio Breakdown
Trailing P/E (TTM)
54.95
Based on last 12 months earnings
Consumer Defensive Industry Avg
20.00
COST is 175% above industry
What Does COST P/E Ratio Mean?
Current Valuation
At a P/E ratio of 54.95, investors are paying $54.95 for every $1 of COST's annual earnings. This high P/E suggests investors expect strong future earnings growth or that the stock is trading at a premium.
Industry Comparison
Compared to the Consumer Defensive industry average P/E of 20, COST is trading at a premium. This could be justified by superior growth, profitability, or competitive position.
Get Complete COST Valuation Analysis
DCF model, comparable companies, and AI-powered insights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COST PE ratio?
COST (Costco Wholesale Corp) has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 54.95. This means investors are paying $54.95 for every $1 of COST's annual earnings. The P/E ratio is a key valuation metric used to assess whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued relative to its earnings.
What is a good PE ratio?
A "good" P/E ratio depends on the industry and growth prospects. Generally, a P/E ratio between 15-25 is considered reasonable for mature companies. Growth stocks often trade at higher P/E ratios (30-50+) due to expected future earnings growth. Value stocks typically have lower P/E ratios (below 15). Compare COST's P/E of 54.95 to its industry average and historical range.
Is COST overvalued based on PE ratio?
COST's P/E ratio of 54.95 is above the Consumer Defensive industry average of approximately 20. This suggests the stock may be trading at a premium, though high P/E ratios can be justified by strong growth prospects.
What is the difference between forward and trailing PE ratio?
The trailing P/E ratio uses earnings from the past 12 months (historical data), while the forward P/E ratio uses projected earnings for the next 12 months (future estimates). COST's trailing P/E is 54.95. Forward P/E is often more useful for growth companies as it reflects expected future performance.
How do you calculate PE ratio?
P/E ratio is calculated by dividing the stock price by earnings per share (EPS). Formula: P/E = Stock Price / EPS. For COST, with a current price of $940.87, the P/E ratio can be calculated once EPS is available. A higher P/E means investors pay more per dollar of earnings.
What is PEG ratio and how does it relate to PE?
The PEG ratio adjusts P/E for growth. PEG = P/E / Earnings Growth Rate. A PEG below 1.0 typically indicates good value. Calculate COST's PEG ratio when earnings growth data is available.