<div id="readability-page-1"><div> <h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>Costco's discounted gas stations save members roughly $0.20 per gallon, often offsetting the $65 annual membership fee within months.</li><li>With 147 million cardholders and rising, Costco's business remains resilient despite inflation.</li><li>10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale ›</li></ul><div>As inflation squeezes retailers, Costco (NASDAQ: COST) is emerging as a surprising beneficiary-thanks to discounted gas, bulk essentials, and a resilient membership model. Watch the video below to find out why this warehouse giant might be the most exciting stock in retail right now.A full transcript is below the video.Stock prices used were the market prices of April 1, 2026. This video was published on April 6, 2026.As inflation tightens its grip on retailers everywhere, Costco is doing something remarkable. It's thriving.The warehouse giant's stock is up over 10% this year, making it one of the few bright spots in a struggling market. Why? Two words: gas prices. As fuel costs skyrocket due to global supply constraints and rising crude oil prices, Costco's discounted gas stations are becoming a major draw. Members save about 20 cents per gallon compared to local averages, which can pay for that $65 membership in just a few months.But it's not just about filling your tank. When consumers feel the squeeze, they flock to Costco for lower per-unit prices on bulk essentials. The company's membership model is proving remarkably resilient, with 147 million cardholders worldwide and counting. Sure, at 50 times earnings, Costco isn't cheap. But with comparable store sales growing at 6.7%, international expansion ramping up, and e-commerce sales surging 22.6%, investors are willing to pay a premium. In an uncertain economy, Costco's boring business model might just be the most exciting thing in retail. </div>Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an &#34;Indispensable Monopoly&#34; providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »<h2>Should you buy stock in Costco Wholesale right now?</h2> Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Costco Wholesale wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $532,066!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,087,496!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 926% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&amp;P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 7, 2026. Kevin Jackson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. </div></div>

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Costco is thriving amid rising gas prices, with its stock up over 10% this year. The company's discounted gas stations save members about $0.20 per gallon, helping offset the $65 annual membership fee. With 147 million cardholders, Costco's resilient membership model and lower prices on bulk essentials attract consumers during inflation. Despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 50, strong comparable store sales growth of 6.7%, and a 22.6% surge in e-commerce sales make it an appealing investment, even as some analysts recommend other stocks over Costco.

Costco: The Surprising Winner of Rising Gas Prices