COST returns by year
Costco Wholesale Corporation has returned +12.1% annually (CAGR) since 1987. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) below, through July 2, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.
Costco Wholesale Corporation returns by year (1987–2026)#
Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $862.34 | $951.67 | +0.3% | +10.7% | |
| 2025 | $916.27 | $862.34 | +0.5% | -5.4% | |
| 2024 | $660.08 | $916.27 | +0.8% | +39.6% | |
| 2023 | $456.50 | $660.08 | +4.3% | +48.9% | |
| 2022 | $567.70 | $456.50 | +0.5% | -19.1% | |
| 2021 | $376.78 | $567.70 | +1.1% | +51.8% | |
| 2020 | $293.92 | $376.78 | +4.4% | +32.6% | |
| 2019 | $203.71 | $293.92 | +1.4% | +45.7% | |
| 2018 | $186.12 | $203.71 | +1.1% | +10.6% | |
| 2017 | $160.11 | $186.12 | +5.9% | +22.2% | |
| 2016 | $161.50 | $160.11 | +1.1% | +0.3% | |
| 2015 | $141.75 | $161.50 | +4.9% | +18.8% |
Total return by period
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from COST's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
See also: S&P 500 · Nasdaq-100 · Dow Jones · Russell 2000 · US Bond Market · Gold · Silver · Bitcoin · Ethereum
FAQ
- What is Costco Wholesale Corporation's average annual return?
- Since 1987, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has returned about 12.1% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 15.7%.
- What were Costco Wholesale Corporation's best and worst years?
- Over 1987–2026, the best year was 1997 (+77.6%) and the worst was 2002 (-36.8%).
- How often is Costco Wholesale Corporation up in a year?
- 29 of the 39 full years since 1987 were positive — about 74% of the time.