Can Costco Outgrow Retail Headwinds? The Balance Sheet Says Yes

Key Takeaways COST ended Q1 FY26 with $17.2B in liquid assets, supporting strong operational flexibility.Membership fee income rose 14% to $1.3B, driven by 5.2% growth in total paid memberships.Forward P/E of 46.90 keeps COST trading at a premium versus industry and major retail peers.Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST) balance sheet strength provides a cushion against a tough retail environment. The company ended the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with $16,217 million in cash and cash equivalents. This sub ...