Core Viewpoint - Costco is set to report its quarterly results, and while Wall Street analysts have generally expressed positive sentiments, there are lingering concerns about the sustainability of investor satisfaction [1] Group 1 - Analysts have had favorable opinions about Costco ahead of the earnings report [1] - There are questions regarding how long Costco can maintain its appeal to investors [1]

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation is expected to report fourth-quarter revenue of $86.11 billion, an increase from $79.7 billion in the same quarter last year [1] - Analysts predict earnings per share of $5.80, up from $5.15 in the previous year’s fourth quarter [2] - Costco has consistently beaten revenue estimates, achieving this in two consecutive quarters and five out of the last ten quarters [2] Earnings Estimates - Fourth-quarter revenue is projected at $86.11 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of approximately 15.3% [1] - Expected earnings per share of $5.80 indicates a year-over-year growth of 12.6% [2] Consumer Behavior and Store Traffic - Costco stores in Northern New Jersey showed significant traffic, outperforming competitors like Amazon Fresh and Walmart [3] - The grocery section was noted as the busiest area, with consumers seeking value amidst anticipated price increases due to tariffs [4] - Overall visits to Costco increased by 3.2% year-over-year in April, May, and June, with a further increase of 5.5% in August [6] Membership and Revenue Streams - Membership fees generated $1.24 billion in the third quarter, up from $1.12 billion the previous year, highlighting the importance of this high-margin revenue [9] - The recent membership fee increase in September 2024 is expected to contribute positively to profitability [9] Operational Improvements - Early openings for executive members have been implemented to improve store operations and customer experience [5] - This strategy has reportedly reduced congestion and improved the flow of visitors, enhancing the overall shopping experience [6] Comparable Sales and Growth - Comparable sales rose by 5.7% year-over-year in the third quarter, with growth observed across the US, Canada, and other international markets [8] - Continued growth in store traffic and new store openings will be critical indicators for future performance [7]

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the Leverage Shares 2X Long COST Daily ETF (NASDAQ:COTG) aims to provide investors with double daily exposure to Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST), capitalizing on the company's strong performance in the consumer spending sector [1][3]. Group 1: ETF Overview - The new ETF was listed on September 18 and is designed to offer 200% of Costco's daily performance, both gains and losses [1][3]. - The fund features an industry-low expense ratio of 0.75% for single-stock leveraged ETFs, targeting active traders interested in short-term fluctuations [4]. Group 2: Market Positioning - By including Costco, the ETF diversifies beyond technology giants, reflecting a strategic move towards consumer-oriented sectors [2][5]. - Costco's business model, characterized by low-cost and high-volume sales, positions it as a reliable indicator of consumer demand, especially in an inflationary environment [3][5]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment - The ETF is expected to attract investors looking to leverage Costco's loyal customer base and its potential for growth in the bulk-buying market [2][6]. - Themes ETFs' Chief Revenue Officer highlighted Costco's fantastic growth and customer loyalty as key reasons for the ETF's introduction [4].

Core Insights - Costco's decision to extend shopping hours for executive members is proving to be beneficial, as foot traffic data indicates an increase in shopper visits and frequency [1][3] - The adjustment has led to a shift in foot traffic patterns, with more shoppers visiting during the 9 a.m. hour, suggesting a positive reception of the new schedule [2][3] - Shorter shopping trips are being reported, with visits decreasing from an hour to 30-45 minutes, which is expected to drive additional visits and enhance overall shopping experience [4] Financial Impact - Costco's fiscal year ended on August 31, and the upcoming fourth-quarter results will provide insights into the financial effects of the extended hours, with analysts anticipating a positive contribution to sales growth [3][14] - The extended hours are expected to be "accretive" to the company's already strong sales performance this year [3] Customer Behavior - The extended hours have resulted in a more balanced flow of foot traffic, improving the shopping experience for all customers, regardless of membership tier [3] - There is a noted increase in younger consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are starting families, contributing to a slight decrease in average income among Costco's customer base [12] Membership Dynamics - The potential for new shoppers to become long-term members is significant, especially with the upgrade from Gold Star to Executive membership, which doubles fee revenue from those members [13] - The upcoming earnings call may provide further insights into the growth of Costco's membership tiers [14] Operational Strategies - Costco is testing various strategies to manage increasing store traffic, with extended hours being one of the most visible initiatives [5] - A new "scan and go" approach is being trialed, allowing store workers to scan items in customers' carts to streamline the checkout process [6]

Group 1 - Costco is set to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results on September 25, 2025, with analysts predicting earnings of $5.81 per share and revenue of $86.11 billion, reflecting a 10% increase in EPS and an 8% increase in revenue compared to the previous year [2] - In Q3 FY2025, Costco reported EPS of $4.28, a 13% year-over-year increase, on revenue of $63.2 billion, which is an 8% increase, driven by 8% growth in comparable sales and a 16% increase in e-commerce [2] - Costco's current market capitalization stands at $418 billion, with a total revenue of $269 billion over the last twelve months, maintaining operational profitability with $10 billion in operating profits and a net income of $7.8 billion [2] Group 2 - Historical data indicates that Costco stock has increased after earnings announcements 65% of the time, with a median one-day gain of 1.9% and a maximum movement of 7% [2][6] - Over the last five years, there have been 20 documented earnings data points for Costco, with 13 positive and 7 negative one-day returns, resulting in a 65% occurrence of positive returns [6] - The correlation between 1D, 5D, and 21D returns can provide insights for traders, as analyzing these relationships may help in making informed trading decisions following earnings announcements [7][8]

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corporation is highlighted as a significant retail player with earnings report scheduled after market close on Thursday [1] - Nike Inc. is set to report its earnings after market close next Tuesday [1] - Several IT services companies, including Accenture plc Class A (Ireland), will report earnings on Thursday morning [1] Group 2 - Leisure companies Carnival Corporation and Carnival Plc ADS are scheduled to report pre-market next Monday [1]

With a market cap of $418.5 billion, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is a global operator of membership warehouses that offer a wide selection of branded and private-label products across diverse categories at discounted prices. The company generates revenue primarily through store sales and membership fees while also operating e-commerce platforms and ancillary services worldwide. The Issaquah, Washington-based company is scheduled to release its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Thursday, S ...

Government Policy & International Relations - The Trump administration restricts Iranian diplomats in New York from accessing wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's [1] - The State Department classifies diplomatic memberships in wholesale clubs and purchases of luxury goods as benefits requiring government approval [1] - Iran is the only country specifically targeted by this restriction [2] - The US aims to pressure Iranian diplomats by limiting their access to goods not readily available in Iran [2] Potential Implications - Iranian diplomats are known to purchase products cheaply at stores like Costco and send them back to Iran [2] - The restrictions are intended to ensure diplomats are in the US solely for diplomatic purposes [2]

Group 1 - The Trump administration is restricting Iranian diplomats from shopping at wholesale clubs like Costco during their visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, requiring government approval for such memberships [1][2] - Iranian diplomats are specifically targeted by this policy, as they are known to purchase goods unavailable in Iran and send them back home, indicating a strategic move by the U.S. to emphasize the diplomatic nature of their visit [2] Group 2 - The policy reflects broader tensions and efforts by the U.S. to exert pressure on Iranian diplomats, reinforcing the notion that their presence in the U.S. should be strictly for diplomatic purposes [2]

Core Insights - Costco is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, following signs of decelerating sales growth earlier this year [3][9] - Analysts remain generally optimistic about Costco's ability to deliver sustainable results despite anticipated volatility in the stock [2][4][9] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, Costco's sales reached $84.4 billion, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year [10] - Comparable store sales increased by 5.7% year-over-year, with analysts projecting a profit of $2.6 million, up from $2.4 million the previous year [10] Stock Performance and Market Sentiment - Costco shares have risen 2.6% this year and approximately 170% over the past five years, with a consensus target price of $1,080 from analysts [11] - The stock has experienced fluctuations, particularly between March and June, and analysts suggest that further volatility may present buying opportunities for investors [5][9]