Costco Wholesale Corporation's Impressive Fiscal 2026 Q1 Financial Results

Core Insights - Costco reported strong financial results for Q1 fiscal 2026, with earnings per share of $4.50 and revenue of $67.31 billion, both exceeding expectations [2][6] - The company's net sales increased by 8.2% year-over-year, with comparable sales rising by 6.4%, driven by robust consumer demand [3][6] - Membership fees reached approximately $1.33 billion, up from $1.17 billion in the same quarter last year, contributing significantly to Costco's success [4][6] Financial Performance - Earnings per share for Q1 fiscal 2026 were $4.50, surpassing the estimated $4.26 [2] - Revenue for the quarter was $67.31 billion, exceeding the anticipated $67.12 billion [2] - Net sales increased by 8.2% year-over-year, with total comparable sales rising by 6.4% [3][6] Market Position - The U.S. market saw a 5.9% increase in sales, Canada experienced a 6.5% rise, and other international markets surged by 8.8% [3] - Costco's membership fee increase, which began in September 2024, has attracted new sign-ups and renewals, particularly among younger customers [4] - The company maintains a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 47.3, a price-to-sales ratio of 1.4, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of 1.35, indicating high expectations for future growth [5]