Using Warren Buffett principles, would he be interested in buying Costco at the moment?

**Warren Buffett would likely be interested in buying Costco at the moment.** Here's why:

1. **Strong Financial Performance**: Costco has shown robust financial performance, with annual revenue and operating income growth of 7.4% and 6.4%, respectively. This consistent growth is a key criterion that Buffett looks for in a company.
2. **Attractive Valuation**: Costco's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 50.06, its price-to-book (P/B) ratio is 16.5, and its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 1.54. These ratios suggest that the stock is reasonably priced relative to its earnings, book value, and sales, which aligns with Buffett's value investing approach.

|Ticker|Name|Price to Book Ratio|P/S|P/E(TTM)|Date|code|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|COST.O|Costco Wholesale|16.495092990249415|1.5412117587839043|50.06478|20240730|COST|185|

3. **High Return on Equity**: The forecast for Costco's return on equity (ROE) is 24.7% in 3 years. Buffett often looks for companies with strong ROE, as it indicates efficient use of equity.
4. **Strong Membership Growth and Renewals**: Costco's membership base is growing, with a renewal rate of more than 90% worldwide. This provides a stable revenue stream and is a factor Buffett considers when evaluating the long-term potential of a company.
5. **Strategic Growth Prospects**: Costco is expanding its footprint both domestically and internationally, with plans to open new stores annually. This strategic expansion could lead to significant growth opportunities, which Buffett appreciates.
6. **Industry Position**: Costco is outperforming many of its peers in terms of stock growth, with its stock price having soared 89,000% since its initial public offering. This track record of success would be noticed by Buffett.

While Costco's high P/E ratio might seem concerning, Buffett has been known to overlook this metric if he believes the company has other strengths, such as strong growth prospects, a durable competitive advantage, and a competent management team. Given Costco's strong financial performance, attractive valuation, high ROE, and strategic growth prospects, it would likely pique Buffett's interest.