New York, Feb 4, 2026, 12:48 EST — Regular session
- Costco shares gained roughly 1.5% by midday, outperforming a volatile market.
- Investors await the retailer’s January sales report set to drop after the close.
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O) shares climbed 1.5% to $992.44 on Wednesday, bouncing back after an early slide as traders geared up for a monthly sales update scheduled post-close. The stock swung between $975.32 and $994.52, with roughly 1.1 million shares traded by midday.
The company will release its January sales figures at 1:15 p.m. Pacific time (4:15 p.m. Eastern). This report often shakes up expectations since Costco updates comparable sales every month. January’s numbers are especially important, offering the market a fresh glimpse at customer traffic and basket sizes ahead of Costco’s March earnings report. (Costco Investor Relations)
The scene remains unsettled as investors rethink their wagers on U.S. interest rates and consumer strength following January’s private payrolls increase, which came in below forecasts. The official “Employment Situation” report for January is due Feb. 11. Last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that “labor market indicators suggest that conditions may be stabilizing.” (Reuters)
Analyst buzz has turned positive. Mizuho bumped up its price target on Costco, lifting it to $1,065 from $1,000 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm cited potential upside tied to a rebound in membership trends and a slowdown in spending growth, according to a note highlighted by TheFly. (TipRanks)
Costco’s latest monthly update, out early January, revealed net sales climbed 8.5% in the five weeks ending Jan. 4. Total company comparable sales were up 7.0%, with “digitally-enabled” comparable sales surging 18.9%. Investors tend to zero in on comparable sales figures that exclude gasoline-price swings and foreign exchange, which Costco also provides. (Costco Investor Relations)
That said, the situation is double-edged. A weak January report—or one distorted by fuel and currency swings—might reignite concerns that Costco’s recent rally has outpaced its short-term sales momentum, particularly if consumers tighten their belts on non-essential purchases.
Costco will report January sales after Wednesday’s close. The company’s fiscal second-quarter earnings and February sales come next, set for March 5, per its events calendar. (Costco Investor Relations)
