The Consumer Staples Face-Off: Buy VDC for Growth, Hold KXI for Global Cash Flow

Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is recommended as the better buy for most investors due to its ultra-low 0.09% expense ratio and superior 5-year performance (44% total return, 7.6% CAGR), despite focusing only on U.S. companies. iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (KXI) offers international diversification with 60% U.S. and 40% international exposure and slightly higher dividend yield (2.3% vs 2.1%), but charges a higher 0.38% expense ratio and delivered lower returns (31% total return, 5.5% CAGR).

10/22/2026, 11:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Costco's Last Stock Split Was in 2000. Is Its Board Close to Another?

Costco's stock price has reached ~$994 per share since its last 2-for-1 split in January 2000, prompting investor questions about another split. However, CEO Ron Vachris and CFO Gary Millerchip have repeatedly stated there are no immediate plans, citing that fractional share purchases now make splits less economically necessary. The company continues to review the possibility with its board, but the author believes a split is unlikely in the near term and suggests a special dividend would be more beneficial to shareholders.

10/22/2026, 10:23 AM • The Motley Fool

Wall Street Firm Names Amazon Its Top Pick With More Than 30% Upside. Is the Stock a Buy?

Morgan Stanley names Amazon as its top pick with a $350 price target, citing a 30%+ upside potential. The firm identifies five catalysts including accelerating AWS growth (47% expected next year), expanding operating margins, AI infrastructure investments, e-commerce AI integration, and robotics efficiency gains. The analyst projects AWS revenue could nearly triple to $373.6 billion by 2028 with 44% operating margins.

10/22/2026, 3:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Inflation Just Hit 3.7%. Here's Why Walmart and Costco Could Be the Biggest Winners.

With inflation rising to 3.7% in September, Walmart and Costco are positioned to benefit from their thin-margin business models that appeal to value-conscious consumers. Both companies reported strong recent quarters with solid sales growth, though their stocks already reflect much of this optimism at elevated valuations.

10/20/2026, 6:45 AM • The Motley Fool

Costco is One of the Best Retailers on the Planet

Costco continues to be recognized as one of the best retailers globally, offering excellent value to its customers. The company boasts one of the highest customer retention ratios of any membership program, demonstrating strong customer loyalty and a solid business model.

10/19/2026, 9:18 PM • The Motley Fool

6 Signs of a Winning Stock, Each Shown by a Real Company

The article outlines six measurable traits that distinguish long-term winning stocks, illustrated through real companies. These traits include consistent dividend growth (Coca-Cola), high return on invested capital (Alphabet), strong free cash flow conversion (Monster Beverage), customer loyalty/moat (Costco), insider ownership (Copart), and reinvestment at high returns (Netflix). The author emphasizes that no company aces every test, and temporary stock declines shouldn't deter investors in fundamentally strong businesses.

10/19/2026, 1:33 PM • The Motley Fool

All It Takes Is 472 Shares of Coca-Cola Stock to Earn $1,000 a Year in Dividends. Is It Worth It?

Generating $1,000 annually in dividends from Coca-Cola requires an investment of approximately $43,424 for 472 shares at a 2.31% yield. While the capital commitment is substantial, Coca-Cola's 65-year dividend increase streak as a Dividend King, combined with recent competitive wins (KFC switching from Pepsi, Marriott and Costco switching from Pepsi), makes it a worthwhile long-term investment despite lower yields compared to Treasury bonds.

10/19/2026, 7:11 AM • The Motley Fool

Should You Buy Costco Stock Before Oct. 30? Here's the Clear Answer.

Costco will pay a $1.47 dividend on Nov. 13 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 30. While the dividend yield of 0.6% is modest compared to competitors, the article argues that Costco's strong historical outperformance of the S&P 500 (116% over five years vs. 73%), combined with expansion plans, special dividends, and quarterly payouts, makes it worth considering for long-term investors.

10/18/2026, 1:30 PM • The Motley Fool

2 Retail Stocks to Buy Before the Holiday Shopping Season

The article recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale as attractive retail stocks heading into the holiday shopping season. Amazon is favored as the better buy, trading 11% below its August record with strong revenue growth and AWS expansion. Costco is growing faster but trades at a premium valuation of 47x earnings, suggesting a dollar-cost averaging approach rather than a full position at current prices.

10/18/2026, 6:19 AM • The Motley Fool

Costco Wholesale Has Fallen More Than 10% From Its Peak Before. Here's What History Says Happens Next.

Costco's stock has declined over 18% from its May 2026 peak. Historically, the stock recovered to new highs within 12 months in 5 of 7 previous 10% declines. However, recent exceptions (2022 and 2025) suggest caution, as recovery took much longer when valuations were steep. Currently trading at a P/E of 47.3 (above the 10-year average of 40), the stock may drift sideways as earnings catch up, though long-term investors may find it a buying opportunity.

10/17/2026, 7:30 PM • The Motley Fool

What the Latest Fed Decision Means for Costco, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot

The Federal Reserve's 0.25% rate hike in September, with inflation at 3.7%, signals potential additional hikes in 2026. Rising interest rates affect retail stocks differently: Costco and Walmart are positioned to benefit from higher inflation and affluent consumers trading down, while Home Depot faces headwinds from reduced home improvement spending due to higher mortgage rates. Target's turnaround momentum could be threatened by inflation-weary consumers seeking bargains.

10/16/2026, 8:54 AM • The Motley Fool

If I Could Only Buy and Hold 1 Stock Heading Into the Eye of a Stock Market Storm, This Would Be It

Costco is recommended as a defensive stock choice during potential market downturns. The retailer demonstrates resilience through strong same-store sales growth (6.7% Q4, 6.6% annually), expanding operating profits (13.8% Q4 growth), high membership renewal rates (89.8%), and consistent warehouse expansion (25 new locations added). Despite economic headwinds including inflation and rising interest rates, Costco's value proposition and membership model continue to attract and retain customers.

10/15/2026, 4:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Costco Wholesale Stock Loses to 10-Year U.S. Treasury Notes on Yield. Here's Why It Wins on Everything Else.

While 10-year U.S. Treasury notes currently yield 5.2% compared to Costco's 0.6% dividend yield, the article argues Costco is the better long-term investment. A $10,000 investment in Costco 10 years ago would be worth nearly $75,000 with reinvested dividends, versus $11,800 from Treasury notes. Costco's growing business, rising dividend (up 13.2% annually over five years), and special dividends outweigh the Treasury's higher current yield for patient investors with a 10+ year horizon.

10/12/2026, 3:03 PM • The Motley Fool

History Says This Is the Amount of Yearly Dividend Income a $10,000 Investment in Costco Stock Could Generate by 2031 (Without Even Considering Special Dividends)

Costco's dividend has grown 86% over the past five years, with current quarterly payouts of $1.47 per share. If historical growth rates continue, a $10,000 investment could generate approximately $115 in annual dividend income by 2031 (1.15% yield), plus potential special dividends. The company's strong fundamentals, consistent same-store sales growth, and $20.2 billion cash position support optimistic dividend growth prospects.

10/11/2026, 7:14 AM • The Motley Fool

Costco Stock Is 14% Below Its Record. History Says Buyers Have Usually Been Rewarded.

Costco stock has fallen 14% from its May record to around $942. Historically, such drops have led to gains within a year in 7 of 9 instances since 2010, with a median return of 21%. September's comparable sales growth of 7.6% (up from 5.4% in August) suggests the slowdown has reversed. However, at 45x earnings, the current valuation resembles the 2022 drops that saw minimal gains, prompting the analyst to recommend gradual buying rather than aggressive investment.

10/11/2026, 4:21 AM • The Motley Fool