Price to Sales (P/S)
since 2005
Calculation
Costco Wholesale Corp., P/S, long-term trends, calculation
| P/S | = | Share price1, 2, 3 | ÷ | Sales per share1 | Sales per share1 | = | Net sales1 (in millions) |
÷ | No. shares of common stock outstanding2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2024 | 1.61 | = | 909.10 | ÷ | 563.39 | 563.39 | = | 249,625 | ÷ | 443,073,537 | |
| Oct 11, 2023 | 1.05 | = | 565.52 | ÷ | 536.91 | 536.91 | = | 237,710 | ÷ | 442,740,572 | |
| Oct 5, 2022 | 0.95 | = | 480.32 | ÷ | 503.23 | 503.23 | = | 222,730 | ÷ | 442,604,145 | |
| Oct 6, 2021 | 1.03 | = | 449.34 | ÷ | 434.68 | 434.68 | = | 192,052 | ÷ | 441,823,811 | |
| Oct 7, 2020 | 0.98 | = | 363.02 | ÷ | 369.92 | 369.92 | = | 163,220 | ÷ | 441,228,027 | |
| Oct 11, 2019 | 0.88 | = | 297.60 | ÷ | 339.70 | 339.70 | = | 149,351 | ÷ | 439,656,950 | |
| Oct 26, 2018 | 0.69 | = | 218.19 | ÷ | 315.91 | 315.91 | = | 138,434 | ÷ | 438,208,376 | |
| Oct 18, 2017 | 0.55 | = | 157.55 | ÷ | 288.73 | 288.73 | = | 126,172 | ÷ | 436,989,606 | |
| Oct 12, 2016 | 0.57 | = | 150.46 | ÷ | 265.54 | 265.54 | = | 116,073 | ÷ | 437,126,569 | |
| Oct 14, 2015 | 0.58 | = | 149.84 | ÷ | 259.86 | 259.86 | = | 113,666 | ÷ | 437,406,636 | |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 0.49 | = | 124.30 | ÷ | 251.76 | 251.76 | = | 110,212 | ÷ | 437,762,068 | |
| Oct 16, 2013 | 0.50 | = | 117.36 | ÷ | 235.44 | 235.44 | = | 102,870 | ÷ | 436,922,037 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 0.42 | = | 94.78 | ÷ | 224.46 | 224.46 | = | 97,062 | ÷ | 432,424,379 | |
| Oct 14, 2011 | 0.41 | = | 81.77 | ÷ | 200.87 | 200.87 | = | 87,048 | ÷ | 433,365,150 | |
| Oct 18, 2010 | 0.36 | = | 63.21 | ÷ | 176.38 | 176.38 | = | 76,255 | ÷ | 432,333,947 | |
| Oct 16, 2009 | 0.36 | = | 58.48 | ÷ | 160.30 | 160.30 | = | 69,889 | ÷ | 435,989,212 | |
| Oct 16, 2008 | 0.35 | = | 57.79 | ÷ | 164.42 | 164.42 | = | 70,977 | ÷ | 431,675,461 | |
| Oct 25, 2007 | 0.45 | = | 64.82 | ÷ | 145.34 | 145.34 | = | 63,088 | ÷ | 434,083,536 | |
| Nov 17, 2006 | 0.42 | = | 53.40 | ÷ | 128.67 | 128.67 | = | 58,963 | ÷ | 458,268,158 | |
| Nov 10, 2005 | 0.46 | = | 50.06 | ÷ | 109.85 | 109.85 | = | 51,862 | ÷ | 472,098,845 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
1 US$
2 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Costco Wholesale Corp. Annual Report.
- Share Price Trends
- The share price exhibited an overall upward trajectory throughout the period analyzed. Starting at $50.06 in November 2005, it experienced fluctuations but generally increased, reaching $124.30 by October 2014. A notable surge was observed from 2017 onwards, with the price rising sharply from $157.55 to $909.10 by October 2024. This strong growth indicates significant market confidence or underlying positive company performance during the latter years.
- Sales Per Share Trends
- Sales per share also demonstrated consistent growth over the years. Beginning at $109.85 in 2005, the figure steadily increased with minor fluctuations, reaching $563.39 by 2024. The gradual upward trend suggests ongoing revenue growth at the per-share level, reinforcing the company's ability to generate increasing sales over time.
- Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio Trends
- The P/S ratio started at 0.46 in 2005 and experienced variations during the initial years, dipping to a low of 0.35 in 2008. After this period, the ratio generally increased, crossing the 1.0 mark around 2021. The ratio peaked at 1.61 in 2024, indicating that the share price grew at a faster rate relative to sales per share in the later years. This trend suggests that investors may be valuing the company more highly based on expected future growth potentials or improved profitability metrics beyond mere sales levels.
- Overall Insights
- The data indicates a company with steadily increasing sales driving a corresponding rise in share price, particularly pronounced in recent years. The acceleration in share price relative to sales per share suggests increasing investor optimism or market valuation premiums. The rising P/S ratio reflects a potential shift in market perception, possibly due to improved operational efficiency, profitability, or strategic initiatives anticipated to sustain growth. Such trends are characteristic of a company transitioning from steady growth to a phase of enhanced valuation multiples supported by underlying financial progress.
Comparison to Competitors
Costco Wholesale Corp., P/S, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Target Corp. | Walmart Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2024 | 1.61 | 0.72 | 0.76 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | 1.05 | 0.69 | 0.62 |
| Oct 5, 2022 | 0.95 | 0.94 | 0.70 |
| Oct 6, 2021 | 1.03 | 0.95 | 0.67 |
| Oct 7, 2020 | 0.98 | 0.68 | 0.62 |
| Oct 11, 2019 | 0.88 | 0.53 | 0.55 |
| Oct 26, 2018 | 0.69 | 0.53 | 0.53 |
| Oct 18, 2017 | 0.55 | 0.44 | 0.45 |
| Oct 12, 2016 | 0.57 | 0.67 | 0.45 |
| Oct 14, 2015 | 0.58 | 0.70 | 0.54 |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 0.49 | 0.52 | 0.52 |
| Oct 16, 2013 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 0.53 |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 0.42 | 0.56 | 0.47 |
| Oct 14, 2011 | 0.41 | 0.53 | 0.44 |
| Oct 18, 2010 | 0.36 | 0.60 | 0.52 |
| Oct 16, 2009 | 0.36 | 0.35 | 0.52 |
| Oct 16, 2008 | 0.35 | 0.65 | 0.56 |
| Oct 25, 2007 | 0.45 | 0.86 | 0.57 |
| Nov 17, 2006 | 0.42 | 0.85 | 0.64 |
| Nov 10, 2005 | 0.46 | 0.94 | 0.74 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Sector (Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail)
Costco Wholesale Corp., P/S, long-term trends, comparison to sector (consumer staples distribution & retail)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2024 | 1.61 | 0.97 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | 1.05 | 0.74 |
| Oct 5, 2022 | 0.95 | 0.79 |
| Oct 6, 2021 | 1.03 | 0.78 |
| Oct 7, 2020 | 0.98 | 0.70 |
| Oct 11, 2019 | 0.88 | 0.61 |
| Oct 26, 2018 | 0.69 | 0.56 |
| Oct 18, 2017 | 0.55 | 0.47 |
| Oct 12, 2016 | 0.57 | 0.50 |
| Oct 14, 2015 | 0.58 | 0.56 |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 0.49 | 0.51 |
| Oct 16, 2013 | 0.50 | 0.53 |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 0.42 | 0.47 |
| Oct 14, 2011 | 0.41 | 0.44 |
| Oct 18, 2010 | 0.36 | 0.51 |
| Oct 16, 2009 | 0.36 | 0.48 |
| Oct 16, 2008 | 0.35 | 0.54 |
| Oct 25, 2007 | 0.45 | 0.59 |
| Nov 17, 2006 | 0.42 | 0.64 |
| Nov 10, 2005 | 0.46 | 0.73 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Industry (Consumer Staples)
Costco Wholesale Corp., P/S, long-term trends, comparison to industry (consumer staples)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples | |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2024 | 1.61 | 1.67 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | 1.05 | 1.45 |
| Oct 5, 2022 | 0.95 | 1.54 |
| Oct 6, 2021 | 1.03 | 1.61 |
| Oct 7, 2020 | 0.98 | 1.49 |
| Oct 11, 2019 | 0.88 | 1.47 |
| Oct 26, 2018 | 0.69 | 1.24 |
| Oct 18, 2017 | 0.55 | 1.25 |
| Oct 12, 2016 | 0.57 | 1.26 |
| Oct 14, 2015 | 0.58 | 1.23 |
| Oct 15, 2014 | 0.49 | 1.18 |
| Oct 16, 2013 | 0.50 | 1.14 |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 0.42 | 1.10 |
| Oct 14, 2011 | 0.41 | 1.03 |
| Oct 18, 2010 | 0.36 | 1.08 |
| Oct 16, 2009 | 0.36 | 1.01 |
| Oct 16, 2008 | 0.35 | 1.04 |
| Oct 25, 2007 | 0.45 | 1.20 |
| Nov 17, 2006 | 0.42 | 1.25 |
| Nov 10, 2005 | 0.46 | 1.26 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).