Key Points

Costco demonstrates resilience through its steady business approach amid economic pressures.
Lululemon navigates spending cycles and import duties yet maintains a robust core operation.
Shopify refines its merchant tools while its low-asset structure delivers strong profits.
10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale ›

Attempting to time the market rarely succeeds on a consistent basis. Although brief market swings may cause concern, retaining quality stocks over extended periods enables investors to navigate downturns and capture the market's general long-term upward movement.

With the discipline to commit funds to strong companies and allow them to expand even during periods when others exit positions, investors can gain from both favorable and challenging market days.

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With that in mind, here are three leading stocks suitable for long-term investors to acquire and retain regardless of upcoming market movements.

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1. Costco

Costco's (NASDAQ: COST) operations have stayed firm despite consumer difficulties thanks to its effective membership structure, strong cost control, and ongoing capacity to serve value-focused buyers in unpredictable times. Its main profit driver comes from consistent revenue via yearly membership fees, renewed at rates frequently above 90%.

This creates a reliable, high-margin income flow that largely shields the firm from swings in retail activity. The chance to reduce expenses through bulk buys at reduced prices appeals particularly to buyers worried about rising costs and tight finances. This encourages new sign-ups or renewals and larger spending per trip.

As buyers grow more price-sensitive, Costco has tracked and adjusted to changing patterns. Leaders have highlighted rising demand for budget options and store-brand products, while higher-priced optional goods have seen slower movement lately. In addition to food items, Costco provides services such as fuel stations, pharmacies, and vacation planning, which boost visits and deliver extra value for members treating their trips as multi-purpose outings.

Costco's fiscal 2025 performance highlights ongoing company strength both operationally and as an investment choice. Full-year net sales hit $269.9 billion, rising 8.1% from the prior period, while net income reached $8.1 billion, up modestly from $7.37 billion the year before. Web sales also advanced solidly, climbing 15.6% across the full fiscal year. For those seeking a reliable long-term holding with some dividend yield, Costco often appears as a solid choice in a balanced portfolio.

2. Lululemon

Lululemon (NASDAQ: LULU) encounters difficulties currently, shown by its share price falling over 50% in the past year. The firm faces notable weakness in North America, its biggest region, elevated import duties have squeezed margins, and rivals are increasing in the activewear space.

Even so, Lululemon has created a premium label with solid pricing strength backed by dedicated buyers. While domestic results softened, overseas revenue rose 22% in the latest quarter. Its emphasis on the Chinese market has driven major expansion, with sales there up 25% in the three-month span.

The company stays centered on fast-growing overseas areas. Though effects will require time to appear, Lululemon applies multiple tactics to counter duty expenses, such as vendor discussions, targeted price shifts, and broadening supplier locations. Lululemon stays highly profitable, posting net income near $371 million in Q2 along with a gross margin of 58.5%.

It intends to raise new designs from 23% to 35% of its lineup by spring 2026 to regain buyer attention. Despite the cautious view, Lululemon has kept buying back shares, indicating leadership confidence in future worth. Given these factors, solid reasons exist to view the stock as a lasting hold, especially at current lower valuations.

3. Shopify

Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP) equips sellers with integrated tools to grow brands across channels, featuring automatic duty estimates for global transactions, regional sorting options, and duty handling features. These assist sellers in managing trade rules, which can lessen tariff effects and aid overseas growth in a shifting commerce landscape.

Even with cost pressures and duties, online spending holds steady. Shopify works to reduce dependence on smaller firms more exposed in slowdowns and successfully targets bigger enterprise customers. Artificial intelligence plays a key role in its strategy to boost efficiency, support sellers, and strengthen its position.

For instance, its AI Store Builder can create a full online shop - including layout, item details, and visuals - from basic text input. Its new OpenAI collaboration introduces Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, potentially creating an AI sales avenue for its merchants.

Financially, Shopify keeps advancing. Q2 revenue reached $2.68 billion, rising 31% from a year earlier, while gross merchandise volume climbed roughly 31% to about $88 billion. Overseas volume in Europe increased 42% year over year, and merchant solutions revenue grew 37%. It also achieved its eighth straight quarter of double-digit free cash flow margin. Although the shares carry a premium valuation, long-term holders can still see strong appeal in Shopify.

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Rachel Warren holds shares in Shopify. The Motley Fool holds positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Lululemon Athletica Inc., and Shopify. The Motley Fool maintains a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.