PriceSmart, Inc. (PSMT) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: PSMTAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

PSMT AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

PriceSmart, Inc. (PSMT) operates U.S.-style membership shopping warehouse clubs across Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $5.69B in revenue with an operating margin of 4.5% and diluted earnings per share of $5.20. PSMT carries a conservative balance sheet with net debt of $3.3M and delivered a 39.4% one-year total return.

Market cap
$5.24B
Revenue (TTM)
$5.69B
P/E
32.7x
fwd 27.5x
1Y return
39.4%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$181.50
6.9% vs last close

Bull case

  • PriceSmart sustained steady top-line expansion, delivering a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.6% through FY2025 and 12.5% quarterly revenue growth in the quarter ended May 31, 2026.
  • The company maintains a low-leverage balance sheet with debt-to-equity of 0.23 and cash of $322.2M, offsetting virtually all of its $325.5M total debt.
  • Free cash flow recovered to $103.2M in FY2025, supporting 20 consecutive years of dividend payments with a 5-year annualized growth rate of 12.5%.

Bear case

  • Valuation multiples reflect a notable premium, with a trailing P/E of 32.7x compared to the US-listed Consumer Defensive peer median of 18.6x.
  • Operating profitability remains thin, with an operating margin of 4.5% over the trailing twelve months, well below the peer median of 9.8%.
  • Capital expenditures of $158.1M in FY2025 consumed a significant portion of the $261.3M in operating cash flow, leading to historically variable free cash flow.

What PriceSmart does

PriceSmart, Inc. operates a network of U.S.-style membership shopping warehouse clubs in the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia. Its clubs offer locally sourced goods, essential items, fresh produce, and private-label products under the Member's Selection brand, alongside prepared foods and fresh-baked goods. PriceSmart also provides wellness services such as optical, pharmacy, and audiology care. Digital offerings include PriceSmart.com and Click & Go delivery or contactless curbside pickup. Founded in 1994 and based in San Diego, California, PriceSmart operated 50 warehouse clubs across 12 countries and one U.S. territory as of August 2022.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2025, PriceSmart expanded revenue from $3.62B to $5.27B, registering a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.6%. Annual net income grew from $96.7M (EPS of $3.18) in FY2021 to $144.9M (EPS of $4.82) in FY2025. Operating margin remained consistent, finishing FY2025 at 4.5% on a gross margin of 17.4%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $5.69B with a net profit margin of 2.8%. In the latest quarter ended May 31, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 12.5% year-over-year while quarterly earnings expanded 12.3% year-over-year.

PSMT income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of May 31, 2026, PriceSmart held $322.2M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $325.5M, leaving net debt at $3.3M. The company maintains a current ratio of 1.21, debt-to-equity of 0.23, and total assets of $2.60B against shareholders' equity of $1.39B. In FY2025, operating cash flow stood at $261.3M, funding capital expenditures of $158.1M and producing free cash flow of $103.2M. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $38.7M in dividends paid and $6.7M in share buybacks, with the 5-year share count down 1.1%.

PSMT balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

PriceSmart trades at a trailing P/E of 32.7x and a forward P/E of 27.5x, above the median of its US-listed Consumer Defensive peers, which stand at 18.6x and 14.3x respectively. Its EV/EBITDA of 15.9x also exceeds the peer median of 11.7x, while its price-to-sales multiple of 0.9x is slightly above the peer median of 0.7x. The company's PEG ratio sits at 1.83. Over the past year, PSMT rose 39.4% compared to a 16.8% gain for the S&P 500, and its 5-year return of 134.3% outperformed the index return of 83.0%.

PSMT key metrics →

PSMT dividend

PriceSmart pays a semiannual dividend with an annualized forward payout of $1.40 per share, representing a dividend yield of 0.82%. The company has paid dividends for 20 consecutive years, achieving a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 12.5%. The payout ratio is 33.4%, and the last ex-dividend date was August 17, 2026.

PSMT dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 3 analysts with 1 Strong Buy and 2 Hold ratings. The mean price target is $181.50, reflecting an upside of 6.9% from the last close of $169.81. For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026, consensus expectations project revenue of $5.82B and EPS of $5.53, representing 14.7% EPS growth. In the following fiscal year, 2 analysts project revenue of $6.50B and EPS of $6.42. PriceSmart beat EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for October 26, 2026.

PSMT forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • The trailing twelve months profit margin of 2.8% leaves little room to absorb sudden input cost inflation or merchandising missteps.
  • Short interest stands at 9.7% of float, reflecting elevated bearish positioning among market participants.
  • The stock trades within reach of its 52-week high of $199.84, while the consensus target of $181.50 implies modest 6.9% upside.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this PSMT AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of PriceSmart, Inc. (PSMT). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: PSMT income statement, PSMT balance sheet, PSMT key metrics, PSMT analyst forecast, PSMT chart. See the PSMT stock overview for the latest quote and news.

PSMT AI stock analysis FAQ

What is PriceSmart's dividend policy and yield?

PriceSmart pays a semiannual dividend totaling $1.40 annually, which equates to a 0.82% yield at the recent close of $169.81. The company has paid dividends for 20 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 33.4%.

How fast is PriceSmart growing?

PriceSmart achieved a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.6% through FY2025, reaching $5.27B. In the latest quarter ended May 31, 2026, revenue increased 12.5% year-over-year while quarterly earnings rose 12.3%.

How does PriceSmart's valuation compare to its sector?

PSMT trades at a trailing P/E of 32.7x and forward P/E of 27.5x, compared to US-listed Consumer Defensive peer medians of 18.6x and 14.3x. Its EV/EBITDA is 15.9x against a peer median of 11.7x.

What is the condition of PriceSmart's balance sheet?

The balance sheet is conservatively leveraged, carrying $322.2M in cash against $325.5M in debt, resulting in net debt of $3.3M as of May 31, 2026. The current ratio is 1.21 and debt-to-equity is 0.23.

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