Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) exemplifies a remarkable narrative of strategic expansion, customer-centric innovation, and steady growth, transforming from a pioneering warehouse club to one of the globe’s most formidable retailers. Through a consistent focus on value and efficiency, Costco has not only cemented its position in the competitive landscape but has also garnered unwavering loyalty from millions of members worldwide.
Annual Returns of Costco Stock (COST)
| Year | Beginning | Ending | Gain/Loss | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $453.28 | $660.08 | 45.62% | 24.73% |
| 2022 | $566.71 | $456.50 | -19.45% | -19.95% |
| 2021 | $380.15 | $567.70 | 49.34% | 28.79% |
| 2020 | $291.49 | $376.78 | 29.26% | 15.29% |
| 2019 | $204.76 | $293.92 | 43.54% | 28.71% |
| 2018 | $188.32 | $203.71 | 8.17% | -7.01% |
| 2017 | $159.73 | $186.12 | 16.52% | 18.42% |
| 2016 | $159.54 | $160.11 | 0.36% | 11.24% |
| 2015 | $141.61 | $161.50 | 14.05% | -0.69% |
| 2014 | $117.81 | $141.75 | 20.32% | 12.39% |
| 2013 | $101.45 | $119.02 | 17.32% | 26.39% |
| 2012 | $84.60 | $98.73 | 16.70% | 11.68% |
| 2011 | $72.47 | $83.32 | 14.97% | -1.12% |
| 2010 | $59.41 | $72.21 | 21.55% | 11.00% |
| 2009 | $53.35 | $59.17 | 10.91% | 19.67% |
| 2008 | $68.14 | $52.50 | -22.95% | -37.58% |
| 2007 | $52.84 | $69.76 | 32.02% | 3.65% |
| 2006 | $49.92 | $52.87 | 5.91% | 11.78% |
| 2005 | $47.90 | $49.47 | 3.28% | 3.84% |
| 2004 | $36.32 | $48.41 | 33.29% | 9.33% |
| 2003 | $29.01 | $37.18 | 28.16% | 22.32% |
| 2002 | $44.45 | $28.06 | -36.87% | -23.80% |
| 2001 | $41.19 | $44.38 | 7.75% | -10.53% |
| 2000 | $44.50 | $39.94 | -10.25% | -9.27% |
| 1999 | $35.75 | $45.62 | 27.62% | 19.64% |
| 1998 | $22.00 | $36.09 | 64.06% | 26.07% |
| 1997 | $12.19 | $22.31 | 83.08% | 31.67% |
| 1996 | $7.69 | $12.56 | 63.41% | 19.33% |
| 1995 | $6.44 | $7.62 | 18.45% | 34.16% |
| 1994 | $9.56 | $6.44 | -32.68% | -1.33% |
| 1993 | $9.03 | $9.62 | 6.57% | 7.14% |
| 1992 | $12.50 | $9.06 | -27.50% | 4.42% |
| 1991 | $9.69 | $12.56 | 29.68% | 27.77% |
| 1990 | $11.62 | $9.81 | -15.59% | -8.19% |
| 1989 | $9.25 | $11.56 | 25.00% | 28.36% |
| 1988 | $8.38 | $9.38 | 11.94% | 8.51% |
| 1987 | $8.34 | $8.19 | -1.87% | 0.26% |
| 1986 | $11.00 | $8.19 | -25.57% | 15.54% |
The table above displays the COST Yearly Return Rate, highlighting Costco’s annual stock performance on a split-adjusted basis. This data does not include dividends, stock spin-offs, taxes, or transaction commissions.
Costco (COST) Stock History
Founding Vision and Steady Expansion (1986-2002)
Costco Wholesale Corporation embarked on its public journey with a pioneering vision of bringing the warehouse club model to a broad consumer base, offering bulk goods at lower prices. The company’s early years in the stock market were characterized by cautious yet steady growth, reflecting its expanding footprint and increasing membership base. Despite the market’s general volatility, Costco demonstrated resilience and a steady hand in retail innovation, focusing on high-volume sales at low margins.
The late 1980s and 1990s marked a period of careful expansion and strategic consolidation for Costco. Its stock performance saw modest yet consistent gains, with highlights including a notable increase of 64.06% in 1998, underscoring investor confidence in its business model and growth potential. This period also saw Costco navigating the challenges of the retail sector with strategic acumen, gradually building a strong foundation for its future expansion.
Resilience and Robust Growth (2003-2012)
Entering the new millennium, Costco continued to solidify its market presence, emphasizing value and quality. The early to mid-2000s were a testament to Costco’s resilience, as the company successfully weathered the economic uncertainties of the dot-com bubble burst and the 2008 financial crisis.
During these years, Costco’s stock performance mirrored its ability to maintain steady growth, with significant gains such as a 28.16% increase in 2003 and a 33.29% surge in 2004, reflecting its strong business fundamentals and consumer appeal.
This era underscored Costco’s growing dominance in the warehouse club segment, with continued expansion both domestically and internationally. The company’s focus on membership loyalty, combined with its expansion into new product categories and services, played a crucial role in sustaining growth and profitability.
Dominance and International Expansion (2013-2023)
The last decade has been a period of unprecedented growth and expansion for Costco, with its stock performance reaching new heights. The company’s strategic emphasis on international markets, e-commerce, and organic and specialty products catered to evolving consumer preferences, driving substantial revenue growth.
Notable years of stock performance include a 49.34% gain in 2021, highlighting Costco’s effective adaptation to the global pandemic’s challenges and the surge in demand for bulk goods and e-commerce.
Costco’s ability to consistently outperform the S&P 500 during many of these years reflects its exceptional market position and investor confidence in its growth trajectory. The remarkable 45.62% increase in 2023 further cements Costco’s status as a retail powerhouse, with a proven track record of navigating market fluctuations and capitalizing on growth opportunities.