15 Safe Stocks to Invest In For Beginners

12. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)

Elite investors have been positioning themselves in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) stock for the financial impact of the September 2024 fee hike, which is now fully flowing into the bottom line in 2026. In Q1 2026, membership fee income jumped 14% year-over-year to $1.33 billion. Data shows that by raising the cost of commitment, now $65 for Gold, $130 for Executive, Costco actually deepened loyalty. Over 74% of total sales now come from Executive members, who renew at higher rates and spend significantly more than standard members. The practical integration of AI into the Costco supply chain has also caught the eye of tech-focused investors. Digital sales saw a 20.5% increase in the most recent quarter. CFO Gary Millerchip has highlighted that AI is being used to optimize inventory turnover.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is also attracting money from investors who are pulling out of overheated AI stocks. With gasoline prices surging again, Costco’s below-market gas pricing acts as a loss leader that pulls millions of members into warehouses, ensuring they buy higher-margin groceries and electronics while they are there. Smart investors are also looking at the long-term runway provided by Costco’s international growth. The company is on track to open over 30 new warehouses annually, with a heavy focus on high-margin markets like China and Japan. New warehouses opened in 2025/2026 are reaching maturity faster, generating an annualized $192 million per warehouse in their first year, up significantly from just two years ago.