Costco Stock Forecast 2026: Investors Hunt for a 2026 Special Dividend as Costco Amasses a $30B Net Sales in December

The retail giant is kicking off 2026 by proving its membership model is still a powerhouse. On Thursday, Costco (COST) announced that its net sales for December hit a staggering $29.9 billion, an 8.5% jump from the same time last year. This news acted as a catalyst for the stock, which has been under pressure due to concerns about slowing growth.Claim 70% Off TipRanks PremiumUnlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential While the company faced a rocky 2025 where its shares actually fell by 5%, this new data shows that shoppers are returning in droves. Across the globe, same-store sales rose by 7%, signaling that the warehouse chain is successfully stealing market share from its competitors. Costco's Digital Growth Fuels a Retail Recovery A major part of this victory came from the company's website and mobile app. Even as people returned to physical stores, Costco's online sales skyrocketed by nearly 19% in December. This shift is important because it shows that even high-income shoppers are looking for value on big-ticket gift items and appliances. Furthermore, analysts are noticing that this "reacceleration" in spending is exactly what the company needs to move its stock price back toward record highs. By hitting these targets, Costco is silencing critics who worried that the company's valuation had become too expensive for its actual performance. Costco's Management Still Has Hurdles to Clear Despite the celebration, the company still has hurdles to clear in the coming year. Throughout 2025, the stock sat on the sidelines while the S&P 500 climbed by double digits. Investors have been nervous about things like new trade tariffs and a slight dip in how many people were renewing their memberships. However, the December report is being viewed as a turning point that could ease those fears. Experts believe that if Costco can keep this momentum through the spring, it could lead to a special dividend payout for shareholders. This potential cash reward is keeping many investors anchored to the stock despite the recent volatility. Shoppers Ignore the Economic Chill The most impressive part of the report is that the growth happened across every single region. U.S. sales were strong, but international locations saw even bigger gains, with some areas jumping by more than 10%. This proves that the Costco brand has a global reach that can withstand a shaky economy. As more households feel the pinch of high prices, they are turning to bulk buying to save money on essentials like meat and groceries. Whether the market stays bumpy or starts to smooth out, the warehouse giant seems to have found the right formula to keep its registers ringing well into 2026. Is Costco Stock Still a Buy? Turning to Wall Street, COST stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 17 Buys, five Holds, and one Sell assigned in the last three months. The average Costco price target sits at $1,046.69, implying a 19.3% upside potential.