Report
Valens Research

COST - Embedded Expectations Analysis - 2019 11 20

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST:USA) currently trades near historical highs relative to UAFRS-based (Uniform) Earnings, with a 34.5x Uniform P/E, implying bullish expectations for the firm. However, management may be concerned about SG&A costs, membership growth, and app adoption

Specifically, management may lack confidence in their ability to sustain average transaction growth, and they may be concerned about further increases to their SG&A costs. Furthermore, they may lack confidence in their ability to drive membership growth through promotions, and they may be overstating the inelasticity of their higher-end items. Finally, they may lack confidence in their ability to drive further adoption of their mobile app and realize cost savings through vertical integration
Underlying
Costco Wholesale Corporation

Costco Wholesale and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses based on the concept of providing its members low prices on a selection of nationally branded and private-label products. The company's merchandise are: food and sundries, which include dry foods, packaged foods, and groceries, snack foods, candy, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and cleaning supplies; hardlines, which include appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, and garden and patio; fresh food, which include meat, produce, deli, and bakery; softlines, which include apparel and small appliances; and ancillary, which include gas stations and pharmacy businesses.

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Valens Research
Valens Research

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