U.S. Stocks Rise as Fear Index Eases Slightly
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 05 2026
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Fear Index Update: The CNN Money Fear & Greed Index slightly increased to 37.3 on Wednesday, remaining in the 'Fear' zone, indicating a modest improvement in market sentiment while cautioning against potential risks ahead.
- Stock Market Performance: U.S. stocks rose broadly on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining over 1% to close at 22,807.48, primarily driven by optimism surrounding potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks, reflecting a rebound in investor sentiment.
- Earnings Impact: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF) saw its shares fall approximately 4% after disappointing fourth-quarter earnings, while Latham Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SWIM) surged 12% due to better-than-expected results and FY26 sales guidance, highlighting a divergence in market reactions to corporate performance.
- Employment and Economic Data: U.S. private businesses added 63,000 jobs in February, the highest since July, exceeding market expectations of 50,000, signaling strong economic recovery, while the ISM services PMI rose from 53.8 to 56.1, further bolstering confidence in economic growth.
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Analyst Views on COST
Wall Street analysts forecast COST stock price to rise
24 Analyst Rating
19 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 965.590
Low
769.00
Averages
1061
High
1205
Current: 965.590
Low
769.00
Averages
1061
High
1205
About COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) operates membership warehouses and e-commerce sites that offer a selection of nationally branded and private-label products in a wide range of categories. The Company buys the majority of its merchandise directly from suppliers and route it to cross-docking consolidation points (depots) or directly to its warehouses. It operates 891 warehouses, including 614 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 108 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 35 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. It also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. The Company provides wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Employee Training Enhancement: As of Q1 2026, Target has provided guest experience training to over 300,000 team members, aiming to improve service quality through clear behavioral standards and accountability, with early data indicating improvements in customer satisfaction metrics.
- Market Competition Strategy: In response to pressures from competitors like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco, Target is focusing on enhancing customer experience rather than solely competing on price, demonstrating strategic flexibility in a challenging retail environment.
- Long-Term Profit Potential: Despite the intense competition in the current retail landscape, Target's investment is viewed as a growth investment, expected to drive sales growth and market share increase by improving shopping experiences, reflecting management's confidence in future development.
See More
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- Consumer Spending Pressure: Kroger CEO Greg Foran highlighted that customers are under financial pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, leading to more cautious shopping behavior, indicating that changes in market demand could significantly influence food companies' sales strategies.
- Legislative Push for Healthy Eating: Iowa has become the first state to codify elements of the
See More
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- Consumer Behavior Shift: Kroger CEO Greg Foran noted that customers are under pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, shopping more cautiously, which suggests significant changes in consumer spending patterns that may affect retailers' sales strategies.
- Accelerated Product Reformulation: As the MAHA movement gains traction, food manufacturers are accelerating product reformulations, with many companies pledging to phase out artificial colors by 2027, reflecting the industry's response and adaptation to health trends.
- Increased Market Competition: Major food companies like Hershey and Kraft Heinz are closely monitoring shopper behavior to assess the impact of new policies on their product lines, indicating that businesses need to quickly adjust to maintain market share amid policy changes.
See More
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- Walmart's E-commerce Surge: Walmart became the first traditional retailer to surpass a $1 trillion market valuation in 2026, with its e-commerce business now accounting for 18% of total revenue, growing 24% to $150 billion, highlighting its technology-driven transformation in retail.
- Member Spending Trust: Costco saw a 7.3% increase in average transaction size globally during economic downturns, with membership fee income rising 13.6%, reflecting consumer trust in its value proposition, now boasting 82.1 million paid household members, enhancing brand loyalty.
- Berkshire's Strategic Acquisition: Under new CEO Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway acquired Taylor Morrison, merging it into one of the largest homebuilding platforms in the U.S. to address a 7 million home deficit, showcasing its strategic positioning in the real estate market.
- Diversified Investments: Berkshire also made a $10 billion investment in Alphabet, elevating it to one of the top four holdings, further enhancing its influence in the tech sector and demonstrating the diversity and durability of its investment portfolio.
See More
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- Walmart's Technological Breakthrough: Walmart became the first traditional retailer to surpass a $1 trillion market valuation in February 2026, with its e-commerce business representing 18% of total revenue and growing 24% to $150 billion, showcasing successful technology investments that enhance market competitiveness.
- Same-Day Delivery Service: Walmart's same-day delivery now reaches 95% of U.S. households, a logistics achievement that sets it apart in the industry, improving consumer shopping experiences by ensuring that customers can find what they need at 11 p.m. and receive it the next morning.
- Costco's Membership Growth: Costco saw a 7.3% increase in average transaction size globally in Q3, with membership fee income rising 13.6%, now counting 82.1 million paid household members, demonstrating its ability to attract consumers even during economic downturns and enhancing brand loyalty.
- Fuel Price Appeal: Costco's fuel prices have become a significant draw amid rising gasoline costs, directly passing tariff savings to consumers, further solidifying brand trust and ensuring long-term customer loyalty.
See More
Costco Stock Valuation Too High, Investors Should Watch
- High Valuation: Costco's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 49, significantly higher than competitors like Walmart and Target, and it hasn't dipped below 25 since 2017, indicating substantial valuation risk for investors.
- Revenue Growth: For the first nine months of fiscal 2026, Costco reported total revenue of $207 billion, a 10% year-over-year increase, with net income reaching $6.2 billion, up 13%, yet this growth does not justify its high P/E ratio.
- PEG Ratio: Costco's PEG ratio is twice that of Walmart's, and while revenue and earnings growth have slightly accelerated, this does not validate its elevated valuation, raising further concerns among investors.
- Flat Market Performance: Since the beginning of 2025, Costco's stock has remained flat, with a pullback since mid-May, prompting investors to carefully consider the risks of entering at such a high valuation.
See More
