Costco Stock (COST): Evercore Backs Retail Giant Ahead of Q4 Earnings — Here’s What It Expects
Evercore ISI analyst Greg Melich reaffirmed a Buy rating and $1,100 price target for Costco (COST) ahead of its Q4 earnings. He expects focus on membership fees, tariff refunds, and cash balance. Wall Street anticipates $94.85B revenue and $6.55 EPS, up 10% and 12% YoY respectively. Costco reported fiscal 2026 net sales of $297.3B, up 10.2%.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
The reaffirmed rating and elevated target provide fresh bullish impetus, likely encouraging short‑term buying ahead of the earnings release.
Market read
Analyst upgrade with a high price target can move the stock pre‑earnings, offering a trading opportunity.
What to watch
Potential headwinds from inflation‑driven consumer spending slowdown and tariff refund utilization.
Background
Evercore ISI analyst Greg Melich reaffirmed his Buy rating on Costco (COST) and maintained a $1,100 price target ahead of the fiscal Q4 earnings scheduled for September 24.
Ticker impact
Evercore analyst Greg Melich reaffirmed a Buy rating and set a $1,100 price target for Costco ahead of its Q4 earnings release.
Potential upside of 20%+ if the rating influences buying pressure.
Buy rating and elevated target from a reputable analyst often trigger short-term buying, especially before earnings.
Market effects
Positive outlook may boost other wholesale and membership‑based retailers.
U.S. consumer retail sector could see modest uplift.
Limited to U.S. markets; no immediate global effect.
Counterpoint
If earnings miss expectations, the high target could lead to a sharp correction.
Key entities
- CompanyCostco Wholesale Corp.
U.S. wholesale retailer (ticker COST).
- AnalystGreg Melich
Evercore ISI analyst covering retail.


