New York, Feb 12, 2026, 15:00 (EST) — Regular session
- Costco shares climbed roughly 3% in afternoon trading, outperforming many other big-box retailers
- U.S. CPI is out Friday; Costco schedules earnings call for March 5
- Investors are eyeing the chances of rate cuts alongside expectations for increased spending by higher-income groups
Shares of Costco Wholesale Corp climbed in afternoon trading Thursday, reclaiming the $1,000 level as investors looked for steadier retail bets amid heavy tech sector declines. The stock gained 2.9% to $1,006.71, bouncing back from an intraday dip near $978, on volume around 1.7 million shares.
This shift is significant since macro data is once again taking center stage. The key event coming up is Friday’s U.S. Consumer Price Index report for January. This figure has the power to rapidly alter interest-rate forecasts and, consequently, impact how investors price stocks with high multiples.
Costco has a clearly marked date on its calendar. The warehouse giant is set to report its fiscal second-quarter earnings on March 5. This comes right after the newest inflation data and amid a volatile stretch for consumer stocks.
Price action across the retail sector showed a split picture. Walmart gained 3.9% that day, but Target dropped 1.6%, and Amazon slipped 2.4%. Costco stood out as one of the better performers among major consumer stocks.
The real picture was tougher than Costco’s own numbers indicated. U.S. indexes dropped earlier Thursday amid a fresh selloff in software and other tech stocks, as investors demanded proof that heavy AI investments are yielding results. “We see this as a ‘prove it’ year for AI,” said Jack Herr, lead investment analyst at GuideStone Funds. Reuters
Rate expectations feed into market volatility. Following Wednesday’s jobs data, Oren Klachkin, a financial market economist at Nationwide, suggested that “an extended pause still seems likely.” This view helps explain why bond yields and stock valuations remain closely linked to inflation surprises. Reuters
Costco’s customer base remains a key focus for investors. A Reuters story this week highlighted a “K-shaped” spending trend — with wealthier households spending more, while lower-income shoppers face increasing pressure. This dynamic tends to benefit retailers offering essentials and emphasizing value. Reuters
Costco’s recent sales update remains somewhat under the radar. The retailer reported earlier this month that January net sales climbed 9.3% to $21.33 billion. Comparable sales, which track stores open for at least a year, rose 7.1%, while “digitally-enabled” comparable sales surged 34.4%. Costco Investor Relations
A near-term event is set for this Friday. Back in January, a regulatory filing revealed Costco’s quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share. That payment is scheduled for Feb. 13, going to shareholders recorded by Jan. 30.
Costco’s stock cushion isn’t limitless. According to a TradingView summary of Zacks data, its forward price-to-earnings ratio—which measures share price against expected earnings—stands at 46.21. That leaves the stock vulnerable if Friday’s CPI numbers come in high or if March earnings fall short due to rising costs and squeezed margins.
Traders have their eyes on Friday’s CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET. Costco’s March 5 earnings call comes right after, with the company planning to release its March sales figures on April 8.
