Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) Stock Investment Calculator & Historical Return Analysis
Costco Wholesale Corporation is an American multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only big-box warehouse clubs. The company offers a wide range of quality, brand-name merchandise at discounted prices to its members. Investors often view Costco Wholesale Corporation as a key player in the market, analyzing its long-term potential through various revenue models, brand recognition, and consistent presence in its industry.
This Costco Wholesale Corporation stock investment calculator allows you to explore how a hypothetical investment in COST might have performed over time. By adjusting the investment amount and time period, you can visualize potential growth, compare outcomes across different market cycles, and better understand the impact of long-term investing.
What if you invested $1000 in COST on Jan 1, 2020?
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Understanding Costco Wholesale Corporation's Historical Performance
Costco Wholesale Corporation's stock performance has historically reflected both broader market trends and company-specific milestones. Like many growth-oriented stocks, COST has experienced periods of growth driven by innovation and market demand.
When analyzing Costco Wholesale Corporation's historical returns, it's important to consider:
- Market cycles: Strong bull markets often amplify returns, while recessions can temporarily suppress performance.
- Business model evolution: Changes in revenue strategies and product lines can significantly impact stability.
- Long-term trends: Over extended periods, compounding can play a larger role than short-term price fluctuations. Try our calculator to explore returns over 5 years or larger investments over 10 years.
This calculator helps you see how these factors might have affected an investment depending on when you entered the market.
Historical Annual Returns
Over the past 40 years, Costco Wholesale Corporation has delivered an average annual return of 16.0%. The stock peaked in 1997 with a massive +83.1% gain, while investors faced a downturn in 2002 (-36.9%). Overall, the stock finished in the green 30 times out of 40 years.
Avg Return
+16.0%
Win Rate
75%
30W - 10L
Best
+83.1%
1997
Worst
-36.9%
2002
Performance Consistency
Costco Wholesale Corporation Annual Returns by Year
| Year | Annual Return | Start Price | End Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | -25.57% | $7.36 | $5.48 |
| 1987 | -1.87% | $5.58 | $5.48 |
| 1988 | +11.94% | $5.60 | $6.27 |
| 1989 | +25.00% | $6.19 | $7.74 |
| 1990 | -15.59% | $7.78 | $6.56 |
| 1991 | +29.68% | $6.48 | $8.40 |
| 1992 | -27.50% | $8.36 | $6.06 |
| 1993 | +6.57% | $6.04 | $6.44 |
| 1994 | -32.68% | $6.40 | $4.31 |
| 1995 | +18.45% | $4.31 | $5.10 |
| 1996 | +63.41% | $5.14 | $8.40 |
| 1997 | +83.08% | $8.15 | $14.93 |
| 1998 | +64.06% | $14.72 | $24.15 |
| 1999 | +27.62% | $23.92 | $30.52 |
| 2000 | -10.25% | $29.77 | $26.72 |
| 2001 | +7.75% | $27.56 | $29.69 |
| 2002 | -36.87% | $29.74 | $18.77 |
| 2003 | +28.16% | $19.41 | $24.87 |
| 2004 | +34.25% | $24.30 | $32.62 |
| 2005 | +4.29% | $32.28 | $33.66 |
| 2006 | +6.94% | $33.97 | $36.32 |
| 2007 | +33.30% | $36.30 | $48.39 |
| 2008 | -22.18% | $47.27 | $36.78 |
| 2009 | +12.50% | $37.38 | $42.05 |
| 2010 | +23.18% | $42.22 | $52.01 |
| 2011 | +16.32% | $52.20 | $60.72 |
| 2012 | +26.45% | $61.65 | $77.96 |
| 2013 | +18.57% | $80.10 | $94.98 |
| 2014 | +21.70% | $94.01 | $114.41 |
| 2015 | +19.06% | $114.30 | $136.09 |
| 2016 | +1.51% | $134.43 | $136.46 |
| 2017 | +22.66% | $136.14 | $166.99 |
| 2018 | +9.31% | $168.97 | $184.69 |
| 2019 | +44.95% | $185.65 | $269.10 |
| 2020 | +33.77% | $266.87 | $357.00 |
| 2021 | +50.48% | $360.20 | $542.01 |
| 2022 | -18.91% | $541.06 | $438.76 |
| 2023 | +50.06% | $435.66 | $653.76 |
| 2024 | +41.65% | $644.42 | $912.80 |
| 2025 | -4.86% | $906.37 | $862.34 |
Historical annual returns for Costco Wholesale Corporation. Data shows year-over-year percentage change in stock price.
Why Use a "What If" Stock Calculator?
Many investors wonder questions such as:
- What if I had invested 5 years ago?
- How does timing affect long-term returns?
- What role does compounding play in stock investments?
A what-if investment calculator answers these questions by turning historical data into practical insights. Rather than focusing on daily price movements, it encourages a long-term perspective, which is especially useful for retirement planning, portfolio comparisons, and financial education.
Key Innovations
- ✓Pioneered the membership-only warehouse club model, offering bulk quantities of merchandise at competitive prices.
- ✓Developed a strong private label brand, Kirkland Signature, known for its quality and value.
Business Segments
- WarehousesOperates membership-only warehouse clubs that offer a wide variety of products.
- Ancillary BusinessesIncludes self-service gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical centers, food courts, and other services offered at or near warehouses.
- E-commerceOperates online retail websites, primarily in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.
How to Interpret the Results
The results shown are based on historical performance and are meant for educational and informational purposes only. They do not account for future market conditions, taxes, transaction fees, or individual investment strategies. Past performance does not guarantee future results, but historical analysis can help investors understand risk, volatility, and growth potential.
For best use:
- Compare multiple time ranges to see how outcomes differ
- Use consistent assumptions across different stocks
- Combine this tool with fundamental research and diversification principles