Instacart’s Europe delivery launch and Fed pick set up next week

New York, Jan 31, 2026, 10:46 ET — The market has closed.

Costco shares finished Friday at $940.25, slipping 1.3%.
Instacart and Costco announced the launch of same-day delivery websites in France and Spain.
Next week, traders will focus on U.S. rate signals and the jobs report set for February 6.

Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST.O) slipped 1.3% on Friday, finishing the session at $940.25. Throughout the day, the stock fluctuated between $930.62 and $951.01, with roughly 2.4 million shares modifying hands.

The stock’s decline followed a wider risk-off mood that emerged late in the week, sparked by Donald Trump’s pick of Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair. “There’s a combination of investor concerns around the Fed chair announcement … and lingering inflation pressure,” declared Angelo Kourkafas, senior global strategist at Edward Jones. (Reuters)

Costco shared some company news as well. The retailer teamed up with Instacart to roll out its first same-day delivery websites in France and Spain, marking an expansion of their longstanding North American partnership into Europe. Instacart CEO Chris Rogers called the shift “incredibly proud” for the company, while Costco executive Pierre Riel highlighted that the service “gives members in France and Spain greater flexibility.” (PR Newswire)

Costco’s European expansion relies heavily on local partners to handle picking, packing, and delivery. This approach must navigate varying rules in each countest, which could slow growth and complicate cost forecasts. According to Mass Market Retailers, the service operates through Costco-branded sites, offering same-as-in-store pricing plus a flat fee per order. (Mass Market Retailers)

Costco’s board announced a quarterly dividfinish of $1.30 in a regulatory filing last week. The payment is set for Feb. 13, going to shareholders recorded by the close of trading on Jan. 30. The record date marks who’s eligible. Those purchaseing after the ex-dividfinish date won’t receive the payout. (SEC)

Friday’s data revealed U.S. producer prices climbed 0.5% in December, marking their largest increase in five months and fueling debate on the Fed’s pautilize. “This report validates the pivot … toward price stability,” declared Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics. (Reuters)

In retail, Costco trailed behind several major competitors. Walmart’s stock climbed 1.47%, while Amazon dropped 1.01%, MarketWatch reported in its market recap. (MarketWatch)

Next week’s schedule promises to keep markets on edge. A Reuters “Week Ahead” report highlighted a hefty slate of earnings, including Amazon and Alphabet, alongside the U.S. jobs report set for Feb. 6. A Reuters poll forecasts payroll growth of just 64,000 for January. Jim Baird, chief investment officer at Plante Moran Financial Advisors, declared, “The onus is going to be on them to deliver.” (Reuters)

Costco shareholders should mark March 5 on their calfinishars. The company will release its fiscal second-quarter results that day and hold an earnings call at 2:00 p.m. PT. (Costco)

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