Source: Shutterstock And though cautious/bearish analysts have pointed to slowing growth - including misses in both Q1 and Q2 - COST stock has continued to rise in 2017, gaining 12% YTD. Headline numbers aside, it does look like sales were above expectations … at least the part that Costco could control, as gasoline prices and currency impacts obviously are well beyond the company's reach. InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips In a market where retail stocks of all stripes have been hammered, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST ) stock has been a notable outlier.