Start with its own history
At 50.41×, COST is 25.4% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NASDAQ · COSTDiscount StoresUpdated Nov 5, 2026
Costco Wholesale Corporation P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
50.41×
25.4% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price1,046.47
÷Earnings per share20.76
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 50.41 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2017 – 2026
Annual P/ESelected-period average 40.21×
3-year average50.30×3 positive annual observations
5-year average45.92×5 positive annual observations
10-year average40.21×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM21.25×8 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 45.42× | -12.2% |
| Aug 31, 2025 | 51.72× | -3.8% |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 53.76× | +40.1% |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 38.38× | -4.8% |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 40.32× | -0.1% |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 40.35× | +5.0% |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 38.42× | +8.4% |
| Aug 31, 2019 | 35.43× | +8.7% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2018 | 32.61× | +27.1% |
| Aug 31, 2017 | 25.65× | -15.2% |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 30.24× | +16.8% |
| Aug 31, 2015 | 25.89× | +0.3% |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 25.82× | +8.0% |
| Aug 31, 2013 | 23.90× | -3.8% |
| Aug 31, 2012 | 24.84× | +6.0% |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 23.44× | +23.2% |
| Aug 31, 2010 | 19.02× | -6.7% |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 20.39× | -10.3% |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 22.73× | -10.9% |
| Aug 31, 2007 | 25.52× | +28.2% |
| Aug 31, 2006 | 19.91× | +2.8% |
| Aug 31, 2005 | 19.37× | -9.6% |
| Aug 31, 2004 | 21.44× | +5.1% |
| Aug 31, 2003 | 20.41× | -5.9% |
| Aug 31, 2002 | 21.69× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How COST compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 COST This stockCostco Wholesale Corporation | 50.41× |
 PSMTPriceSmart, Inc. | 30.59× |
 BJBJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. | 24.06× |
 WMTWalmart Inc. | 46.63× |
 TGTTarget Corporation | 16.85× |
 KRThe Kroger Co. | 37.28× |
 DLTRDollar Tree, Inc. | 17.93× |
 DGDollar General Corporation | 18.32× |
 TSCDYTesco PLC | 18.45× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does COST’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 8 positive peer ratios above is 21.25×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take COST into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("COST", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 1,046.47 ÷ EPS 20.76 = 50.41×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 5, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
COST P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
Costco Wholesale Corporation's current P/E is 50.41× based on the quote data last updated Nov 5, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.