Warren Buffett Passed on This Stock. Greg Abel May Not Wait Any Longer.
The article says Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, BRKB) sold all Costco Wholesale (COST) shares in 2020, and that Warren Buffett later called the exit “probably a mistake,” citing Costco’s subsequent rise. It highlights Costco’s fiscal 2026 Q3 net sales of $69.15B (+11.6%) and net income of $2.19B, plus July 2026 sales growth and renewal rates near 90% worldwide.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
For COST, the actionable content is the operating update: sales growth, comparable sales, digital growth, and high renewal rates. For BRKB, the only concrete items are historical (2020 sale, 13F absence) plus editorial speculation about future ownership.
Market read
Traders get a fundamentals-focused snapshot of Costco’s member economics and growth, but the Berkshire angle is speculative and not a new corporate catalyst.
What to watch
The text does not address gross margin trends, wage/benefits inflation, inventory pressures, or gasoline mix impacts beyond excluding gasoline for comps.
Background
The article revisits Berkshire’s prior Costco exit and argues Greg Abel may be more willing to revisit similar durable consumer franchises.
Ticker impact
Costco reported fiscal 2026 Q3 net sales up 11.6% and July four-week sales up 10.7%, plus renewal rates of 92.3% in the U.S. and Canada.
Moderately positive bias for near-term sentiment, but no new catalyst beyond already-stated sales/renewal disclosures.
The text provides specific operating metrics (sales growth, comps, digital growth, renewal rates) that can influence valuation expectations, yet it is framed as an opinion on Berkshire rather than a fresh corporate action or guidance change.
Market effects
Reinforces the defensive, subscription-like model in retail warehouse clubs, potentially supporting the group’s sentiment.
Highlights U.S. comps strength (U.S. comps up 6.9%) alongside global growth.
Points to worldwide renewal resilience (89.8% worldwide) and digital penetration growth, relevant to global consumer demand narratives.
Counterpoint
Strong renewal rates and comps may already be priced in; the article’s Buffett/Abel framing could distract from potential margin or competitive risks not discussed here.
Key entities
- companyCostco Wholesale
Reported fiscal 2026 Q3 net sales growth, July four-week sales growth, and disclosed membership renewal rates.
- companyBerkshire Hathaway
Previously owned Costco for about two decades, sold out in 2020, and currently shows no Costco position in the cited 13F.
- personGreg Abel
Berkshire’s current leader, used here as the basis for speculation about future portfolio behavior.
- personWarren Buffett
Former CEO, referenced for having walked away from Costco and later calling the sale a likely mistake.

