In a consumer-crunching economic climate, Costco
Costco's third-quarter net income increased 31.7% to $295.1 million, or $0.67 per share. Total revenue increased 13% to $16.6 billion, with same-store sales up 8%. (However, bear in mind that high gasoline prices pushed the comps up -- excluding gasoline, same-store sales increased a still-significant 4%.)
The media's linking the warehouse retailer's results with Big Lots
Costco and Wal-Mart may be big winners, but Sears Holdings
Nonetheless, Costco seems to be the discounter to beat. In early May, I suggested Costco as a great stock for Mom, even its current trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 27 isn't exactly cheap. But since this Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick has been firing on all cylinders, it's hard to deny its greatness as a company or a stock. (That said, I do wish Costco included more than just its income statement in its press release.)
It might be nice to grab shares of Costco on short-term pullback. But even at its current price levels, I still believe Costco's a fine addition to any long-term portfolio. It's a quality company that can perform in good times and bad. As long as consumers are ultra-concerned with stretching their dollars, Costco's going to deliver.
Pick up some bulk Foolishness:
- Last quarter, Costco was hanging tough.
- Costco loves Mom and the recession.
- Your next four-bagger: rice.