Stock Analysis on Net

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST)

Price to Sales (P/S) 
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

Calculation

Costco Wholesale Corp., P/S, long-term trends, calculation

Microsoft Excel

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

Microsoft Excel

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)

Microsoft Excel

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)

Microsoft Excel

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).