Costco's stock, trading under the ticker symbol $COST, has seen a significant rise of approximately 30% since a popular review of its food court offerings. Currently, Costco's stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio exceeding 51.1x forward earnings, which is notably higher than major tech companies such as Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Amazon. Analysts have pointed out that this valuation reflects a market perception that may be overly optimistic, with some humorously suggesting that the company's hot dogs, priced at $1.50 since their introduction in 1985, could have extraordinary benefits. The stock's performance has sparked discussions comparing Costco's growth against Amazon over the past five years, as well as inquiries into the factors contributing to its pricing strategy.