S&P 500 Hits New Highs Amidst High Valuations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy COST?
Source: Fool
- High Valuations in S&P 500: The S&P 500's cyclically adjusted P/E (CAPE) ratio has reached a 10-year high, indicating high valuations in the market, making it increasingly difficult to find bargain stocks despite the overall market rebound.
- Costco's Market Performance: Costco's P/E ratio stands at 52, reflecting its strong demand and reliability in the retail sector, with March sales increasing by 11.3% year-over-year, showcasing robust market demand despite a challenging comparison period.
- Palantir's Rapid Growth: Palantir's revenue surged 70% year-over-year in Q4 2025, driven by a remarkable 137% growth in U.S. commercial contracts, completing 180 deals worth over $1 million, highlighting its strong performance and appeal in the AI sector.
- Investment Opportunities: Although Costco and Palantir are currently highly valued, they remain on investors' buy lists should their stock prices drop significantly, particularly after earnings reports or during market fluctuations, potentially offering better entry points.
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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: 997.840
Low
769.00
Averages
1061
High
1205
Current: 997.840
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.
S&P 500 Hits New Highs Amidst High Valuations
- High Valuations in S&P 500: The S&P 500's cyclically adjusted P/E (CAPE) ratio has reached a 10-year high, indicating high valuations in the market, making it increasingly difficult to find bargain stocks despite the overall market rebound.
- Costco's Market Performance: Costco's P/E ratio stands at 52, reflecting its strong demand and reliability in the retail sector, with March sales increasing by 11.3% year-over-year, showcasing robust market demand despite a challenging comparison period.
- Palantir's Rapid Growth: Palantir's revenue surged 70% year-over-year in Q4 2025, driven by a remarkable 137% growth in U.S. commercial contracts, completing 180 deals worth over $1 million, highlighting its strong performance and appeal in the AI sector.
- Investment Opportunities: Although Costco and Palantir are currently highly valued, they remain on investors' buy lists should their stock prices drop significantly, particularly after earnings reports or during market fluctuations, potentially offering better entry points.
See More
Analysis of Market Performance for Costco and Palantir
- Costco Sales Growth: In March, Costco reported an 11.3% year-over-year sales increase, with comparable sales rising 9.4%, demonstrating the company's strong resilience and customer loyalty in the retail market, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Valuation Challenges: With a P/E ratio of 52, Costco's stock price remains high despite slowing growth, reflecting the market's strong recognition of its stability and reliability, which may limit short-term investment opportunities.
- Palantir Contract Value Milestone: Palantir achieved a record total contract value of $4.3 billion in Q4 2025, with a 70% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a remarkable 137% growth in U.S. commercial contracts, highlighting strong demand in the AI sector.
- AI-Driven Growth Potential: Palantir's operating margin stands at 57% and free cash flow margin at 56%, indicating unique advantages in AI technology application, and despite a high P/E ratio of 231, it continues to attract investor interest.
See More
Costco Remains Resilient Amid Middle East Conflict
- Membership Model Advantage: Costco's membership model reduces the importance of retail sales, with most profits coming from membership fees, maintaining a customer retention rate of around 90%, which ensures stable foot traffic amid economic uncertainty.
- Oil Price Buffer: While high oil prices increase shipping costs, Costco's gasoline sales attract more customers during price spikes, boosting profits in its fuel division and driving additional traffic to its stores.
- Sales Growth in Staples: Costco's comparable sales, adjusted for gas prices, increased by 6.4% in the first 31 weeks of the fiscal year, outperforming nearly all other retailers, demonstrating its strong performance and competitive edge during economic turmoil.
- High Valuation Reflects Market Confidence: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 52, nearly double that of the S&P 500, Costco, although not typically viewed as a growth stock, continues to deliver strong results, maintaining high demand among investors.
See More
Costco Demonstrates Resilience Amid Market Turmoil
- Market Volatility Response: With Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, market volatility has intensified, yet Costco (NASDAQ: COST) has shown remarkable resilience, with only a 4% drop in March compared to the S&P 500's maximum decline, highlighting its stability in uncertain environments.
- Membership Model Advantage: Costco's membership model reduces the importance of retail sales, with membership fees contributing most of its profits, maintaining a retention rate of around 90%, which allows it to attract customers frequently even during economic turmoil.
- Oil Price Impact Mitigation: Although high oil prices can increase shipping costs, Costco benefits from selling gasoline, which not only generates additional profits but also attracts more customers during price spikes, further driving store traffic and sales growth.
- Strong Sales Performance: Costco's comparable sales (adjusted) increased by 6.4% in the first 31 weeks of the fiscal year, outperforming nearly all other retailers, and despite a price-to-earnings ratio of 52—nearly double that of the S&P 500—it demonstrates significant growth potential amid economic uncertainty.
See More
Trump Administration Initiates $166 Billion Tariff Refunds Following Supreme Court Ruling
- Tariff Refund Initiation: The Trump administration is set to initiate $166 billion in tariff refunds following a Supreme Court ruling, impacting over 53 million shipments and potentially alleviating financial pressure on importers.
- Lawsuit Surge: Major U.S. importers, including FedEx, Costco, and UPS, are facing lawsuits from consumers seeking compensation for increased costs due to tariffs, which could negatively affect these companies' market performance.
- Market Reaction: Following the acceptance of tariff refund claims, FedEx shares surged to record highs, gaining 35% year-to-date, while Costco shares also rose 17%, indicating a positive market response to the refund news.
- Retailer Strategies: FedEx has committed to returning tariff refunds to customers, while Costco plans to pass on refunds through lower prices and better values, showcasing differing strategies among retailers in response to tariff pressures.
See More
Costco and FedEx Face Legal Pressure Over Tariff Refunds
- Increase in Legal Suits: With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a batch of tariffs, billions in tariff refunds are set to flow back to U.S. businesses, leading to legal pressure on Costco and FedEx as consumers argue they should share in these refunds, highlighting market concerns over corporate pricing strategies.
- Refund Application Process: Despite the substantial refund amounts, companies must file claims through a new government system, which has just begun, potentially taking months to process and impacting companies' cash flow and short-term financial performance.
- Strategic Differences Between Costco and FedEx: FedEx has stated it will directly return tariff refunds to customers, while Costco opts for a strategy of lowering prices and enhancing value over time, indicating a divergence that could affect brand perception and competitive positioning in the market.
- Consumer Impact: As businesses may have absorbed some tariff costs or passed them on through higher prices, the question of refund allocation has sparked widespread discussion, likely leading to more lawsuits in the future, which could influence corporate operational strategies and market dynamics.
See More
S&P 500 Hits New Highs Amidst High Valuations
- High Valuations in S&P 500: The S&P 500's cyclically adjusted P/E (CAPE) ratio has reached a 10-year high, indicating high valuations in the market, making it increasingly difficult to find bargain stocks despite the overall market rebound.
- Costco's Market Performance: Costco's P/E ratio stands at 52, reflecting its strong demand and reliability in the retail sector, with March sales increasing by 11.3% year-over-year, showcasing robust market demand despite a challenging comparison period.
- Palantir's Rapid Growth: Palantir's revenue surged 70% year-over-year in Q4 2025, driven by a remarkable 137% growth in U.S. commercial contracts, completing 180 deals worth over $1 million, highlighting its strong performance and appeal in the AI sector.
- Investment Opportunities: Although Costco and Palantir are currently highly valued, they remain on investors' buy lists should their stock prices drop significantly, particularly after earnings reports or during market fluctuations, potentially offering better entry points.
See More
Analysis of Market Performance for Costco and Palantir
- Costco Sales Growth: In March, Costco reported an 11.3% year-over-year sales increase, with comparable sales rising 9.4%, demonstrating the company's strong resilience and customer loyalty in the retail market, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Valuation Challenges: With a P/E ratio of 52, Costco's stock price remains high despite slowing growth, reflecting the market's strong recognition of its stability and reliability, which may limit short-term investment opportunities.
- Palantir Contract Value Milestone: Palantir achieved a record total contract value of $4.3 billion in Q4 2025, with a 70% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a remarkable 137% growth in U.S. commercial contracts, highlighting strong demand in the AI sector.
- AI-Driven Growth Potential: Palantir's operating margin stands at 57% and free cash flow margin at 56%, indicating unique advantages in AI technology application, and despite a high P/E ratio of 231, it continues to attract investor interest.
See More
Costco Remains Resilient Amid Middle East Conflict
- Membership Model Advantage: Costco's membership model reduces the importance of retail sales, with most profits coming from membership fees, maintaining a customer retention rate of around 90%, which ensures stable foot traffic amid economic uncertainty.
- Oil Price Buffer: While high oil prices increase shipping costs, Costco's gasoline sales attract more customers during price spikes, boosting profits in its fuel division and driving additional traffic to its stores.
- Sales Growth in Staples: Costco's comparable sales, adjusted for gas prices, increased by 6.4% in the first 31 weeks of the fiscal year, outperforming nearly all other retailers, demonstrating its strong performance and competitive edge during economic turmoil.
- High Valuation Reflects Market Confidence: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 52, nearly double that of the S&P 500, Costco, although not typically viewed as a growth stock, continues to deliver strong results, maintaining high demand among investors.
See More
Costco Demonstrates Resilience Amid Market Turmoil
- Market Volatility Response: With Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, market volatility has intensified, yet Costco (NASDAQ: COST) has shown remarkable resilience, with only a 4% drop in March compared to the S&P 500's maximum decline, highlighting its stability in uncertain environments.
- Membership Model Advantage: Costco's membership model reduces the importance of retail sales, with membership fees contributing most of its profits, maintaining a retention rate of around 90%, which allows it to attract customers frequently even during economic turmoil.
- Oil Price Impact Mitigation: Although high oil prices can increase shipping costs, Costco benefits from selling gasoline, which not only generates additional profits but also attracts more customers during price spikes, further driving store traffic and sales growth.
- Strong Sales Performance: Costco's comparable sales (adjusted) increased by 6.4% in the first 31 weeks of the fiscal year, outperforming nearly all other retailers, and despite a price-to-earnings ratio of 52—nearly double that of the S&P 500—it demonstrates significant growth potential amid economic uncertainty.
See More
Trump Administration Initiates $166 Billion Tariff Refunds Following Supreme Court Ruling
- Tariff Refund Initiation: The Trump administration is set to initiate $166 billion in tariff refunds following a Supreme Court ruling, impacting over 53 million shipments and potentially alleviating financial pressure on importers.
- Lawsuit Surge: Major U.S. importers, including FedEx, Costco, and UPS, are facing lawsuits from consumers seeking compensation for increased costs due to tariffs, which could negatively affect these companies' market performance.
- Market Reaction: Following the acceptance of tariff refund claims, FedEx shares surged to record highs, gaining 35% year-to-date, while Costco shares also rose 17%, indicating a positive market response to the refund news.
- Retailer Strategies: FedEx has committed to returning tariff refunds to customers, while Costco plans to pass on refunds through lower prices and better values, showcasing differing strategies among retailers in response to tariff pressures.
See More
Costco and FedEx Face Legal Pressure Over Tariff Refunds
- Increase in Legal Suits: With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a batch of tariffs, billions in tariff refunds are set to flow back to U.S. businesses, leading to legal pressure on Costco and FedEx as consumers argue they should share in these refunds, highlighting market concerns over corporate pricing strategies.
- Refund Application Process: Despite the substantial refund amounts, companies must file claims through a new government system, which has just begun, potentially taking months to process and impacting companies' cash flow and short-term financial performance.
- Strategic Differences Between Costco and FedEx: FedEx has stated it will directly return tariff refunds to customers, while Costco opts for a strategy of lowering prices and enhancing value over time, indicating a divergence that could affect brand perception and competitive positioning in the market.
- Consumer Impact: As businesses may have absorbed some tariff costs or passed them on through higher prices, the question of refund allocation has sparked widespread discussion, likely leading to more lawsuits in the future, which could influence corporate operational strategies and market dynamics.
See More
