New York, Feb 16, 2026, 13:10 (ET) — The market has closed.
- Costco finished the last session up almost 2%, settling at $1,018.48.
- After closing for Presidents Day, Wall Street will get back to business on Tuesday.
- Costco’s results on March 5, along with its February sales update, are next on investors’ radar.
Costco Wholesale Corporation wrapped up Friday’s session at $1,018.48, a gain of 1.95%. Shares changed hands between $994 and $1,022.89, with roughly 2.7 million traded for the day.
Costco is hovering near the $1,000 level again, flirting with its highs as new sales and earnings results approach. When a stock’s priced this high, even small shifts can knock it off balance.
Eyes are on the warehouse chain to see if it can hold demand steady and protect its margins, even with food and wage costs still top of mind. The next update is right around the corner, leaving traders on edge.
Markets in the U.S. are shut Monday for Washington’s Birthday, according to the New York Stock Exchange holiday calendar—trading resumes Tuesday. (New York Stock Exchange)
Costco shares jumped Friday, leaving major rivals split. Amazon dipped, Walmart ticked up, and Target managed a gain, according to MarketWatch data. Even so, Costco closed about 5% under its 52-week peak of $1,077. (MarketWatch)
Costco will release its second-quarter earnings and February sales figures on March 5, as listed on the company’s investor events calendar. (Costco Investor Relations)
Costco’s latest monthly figures showed the retailer still moving along nicely. In January, net sales climbed 9.3% to $21.33 billion. Comparable sales—which track growth at stores open at least a year—advanced 7.1% over the four-week stretch. E-commerce and other “digitally-enabled” sales leapt 34.4%. But the company flagged that a later Lunar and Chinese New Year calendar hit both international and overall sales. (Costco Investor Relations)
The buildup to the next report sets a higher hurdle. Should traffic ease off or unexpected cost pressures hit margins, shares trading near peak levels can tumble quickly.
Another factor: legal headaches are brewing. Costco is now staring down a proposed class action over alleged salmonella contamination tied to its rotisserie chicken and chicken parts, according to Reuters on Friday. The company hasn’t responded to requests for comment. (Reuters)
Trading picks up again Tuesday, and focus is expected to turn sharply toward positioning before March 5. Investors will be watching for shifts in sales growth pace, as well as management’s commentary on demand as spring approaches.
