Can Costco (COST) Keep the Earnings Surprise Streak Alive?

Core Viewpoint - Costco (COST) is positioned well to potentially beat earnings estimates in its upcoming quarterly report, continuing a strong trend of surpassing expectations in previous quarters [1]. Earnings Performance - In the last two quarters, Costco has consistently exceeded earnings estimates, averaging a 1.46% beat [2]. - For the most recent quarter, Costco reported earnings of $4.34 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.26 per share by 1.88%. In the prior quarter, the company reported earnings of $5.87 per share against an expected $5.81, resulting in a 1.03% surprise [3]. Earnings Estimates and Predictions - Recent estimates for Costco have been trending upward, with a positive Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) indicating a strong likelihood of an earnings beat [6]. - The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) suggests that Costco has a nearly 70% chance of delivering a positive surprise based on historical data [7]. Earnings ESP Details - The current Earnings ESP for Costco stands at +0.68%, reflecting increased analyst optimism regarding the company's earnings prospects [9]. - The next earnings report for Costco is anticipated to be released on March 5, 2026 [9].