Costco Wholesale (NasdaqGS:COST) 2025 Update Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Costco Wholesale - **Date of Call**: January 07, 2026 - **Period Covered**: Five-week retail month of December 2025 Key Financial Metrics - **Net Sales**: $29.86 billion, an increase of 8.5% from $27.52 billion last year [2] - **Comparable Sales**: - **US**: 6.0% - **Canada**: 8.4% - **Other International**: 10.6% - **Total Company**: 7.0% - **Digitally Enabled**: 18.9% [2] - **Comparable Sales Excluding Gas and FX**: - **US**: 6.3% - **Canada**: 6.0% - **Other International**: 5.6% - **Total Company**: 6.2% - **Digitally Enabled**: 18.3% [2] - **Traffic Growth**: Up 2.7% worldwide and 2.4% in the US [2] Impact of External Factors - **Foreign Currency Impact**: - Canada: Positive impact of approximately 3.5% - Other International: Positive impact of approximately 5.4% - Total Company: Positive impact of approximately 1.2% [3] - **Gas Price Deflation**: Negatively impacted total reported comparable sales by approximately 40 basis points; average worldwide selling price per gallon down 4.4% [3] Regional Performance - **Strongest US Regions**: Midwest, Northwest, and Southeast [3] - **Strongest International Markets**: Australia, Japan, and Korea [3] Merchandising Highlights - **Food and Sundries**: Positive mid-single digits - **Fresh Foods**: Up high single digits, with strong performance in bakery and meat [4] - **Non-Foods**: Positive mid-single digits, with strong performance in jewelry, tires, small appliances, and majors [4] - **Ancillary Business Sales**: Up mid-single digits, with pharmacy, food court, and optical as top performers [4] - **Gas Sales**: Down low single digits due to price per gallon changes year over year [4] Forward-Looking Statements - The company provided forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ from those indicated [1]

Core Insights - Costco's digital ecosystem is a primary growth driver, with a 20.5% increase in digitally enabled comparable sales for Q1 FY26, significantly outpacing the overall comparable sales growth of 6.4% [1][9] - Key contributors to online sales growth include a 24% rise in e-commerce site traffic and a 13% increase in average order value [1][9] Digital Engagement and Personalization - The company is enhancing shopping experiences through improved product display pages and personalization capabilities, leading to higher conversion rates [2] - Same-day delivery services via Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash have seen strong member adoption, contributing to sales growth [3] Integration of Digital Tools - Costco is integrating digital tools in warehouses, such as the Costco Digital Wallet and pre-scanning technology, which have increased checkout speeds by up to 20% [4] - AI is being utilized to optimize pharmacy inventory and gas station management, improving in-stock levels to over 98% and supporting mid-teen growth in pharmacy scripts filled [4] Competitive Landscape - Walmart reported a 27% global e-commerce growth in Q3 FY26, with 35% of digital orders delivered in under three hours, indicating a strong focus on convenience and digital innovation [6] - BJ's Wholesale Club reported a 30% growth in digitally enabled comparable sales in Q3 FY25, emphasizing the value of digitally engaged members [7] Financial Metrics - Costco's stock has declined 7.4% over the past year, while the industry has grown by 4% [8] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio for Costco is 41.21, higher than the industry average of 29.45 [10] - Zacks Consensus Estimates indicate year-over-year growth of 7.5% in sales and 11.7% in earnings per share for the current financial year [11]

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Core Viewpoint - BJ's Wholesale Club is facing challenges in growth and competition, while TJX Companies presents a more attractive long-term investment opportunity due to its strong performance and adaptability in uncertain economic conditions [1][3]. BJ's Wholesale Club - BJ's stock is currently priced at $94.66 with a market cap of $12 billion and a year-to-date increase of 5% [2]. - The company reported a modest sales increase of 1.1% in the third quarter and 0.8% for the first nine months of fiscal year 2025 compared to the previous year [6]. - BJ's faces competition from larger players like Costco and Walmart, lacking the scale and international presence that these competitors have [7]. - The company operates fewer than 300 stores, primarily on the East Coast, which limits its market reach [7]. TJX Companies - TJX has seen a significant year-to-date stock increase of nearly 30% and has exceeded sales and margin expectations in its latest quarter [7]. - The company has raised its guidance for the upcoming year and anticipates a strong holiday season [7]. - TJX operates under an off-price retail model, which is particularly appealing in times of economic uncertainty as consumers seek discounts [9]. - The company reported a 1% increase in gross profit margins from the previous year's third quarter, indicating strong financial health [10].

Key Takeaways COST's U.S. and Canada renewal rate hit 92.2%, with global rates at 89.7%, down just 10 bps from last quarter.Digital sign-ups renew at lower rates, but COST's outreach efforts helped soften the overall decline.Paid households rose 5.2% to 81.4M, with executive members driving 74.3% of total sales.Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST) first-quarter fiscal 2026 results shed light on how its membership renewal rates are holding up amid a gradual shift toward digital enrollment. Membership renewa ...

Key Takeaways COST's membership income rose 14% to $1,329M, driven by renewals and fee increases.Paid households grew 5.2% to 81.4M, with executive memberships up 9.1% to 39.7M.Membership renewal rates held strong at 92.2% in the U.S./Canada and 89.7% globally.Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST) first-quarter fiscal 2026 performance once again highlighted the strength of the membership business model. Membership income has been one of the company’s most resilient and predictable revenue streams. Membershi ...

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corp. reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue for its fiscal first quarter of 2026, with net income rising to $2.0 billion or $4.50 per diluted share, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $4.28 per share [1] - Total revenue increased by 8.3% year-over-year to $67.31 billion, surpassing analyst forecasts of $67.08 billion [1] Revenue Breakdown - Net sales accounted for $65.98 billion, while membership fee revenue, a high-margin segment, climbed 14% year-over-year to $1.33 billion [2] - Comparable sales growth, excluding fuel and foreign exchange effects, was 6.4% across the company, with U.S. comparable sales rising 5.9% and Canada and other international markets posting adjusted comparable sales growth of 9.0% and 6.8%, respectively [2] Operating Performance - Operating income increased to $2.46 billion from $2.20 billion a year earlier, supported by strong private-label performance and disciplined inventory management [3]

Costco Wholesale Corporation ( COST ) released its fiscal Q1 earnings results yesterday, and this marks the first time I am officially covering this company. I have to start by saying that Costco is trulyI write about stocks I’m personally interested in adding to my portfolio. I’m not a professional advisor, but I study business and economics and analyze markets full-time. My writing is meant for both complete beginners — I avoid unnecessary complexity — and advanced readers, as I always aim to offer a dist ...

Core Insights - Costco reported net sales of $65.98 billion for the quarter, reflecting an 8.2% increase from $60.99 billion in the same period last year [1] - The company experienced strong comparable sales growth of 5.9% in US stores, driven by a 2.6% increase in traffic and a 3.2% increase in transaction size [1] - Memberships grew by over 5%, reaching nearly 146 million cardholders, with a total of 923 warehouses worldwide, including 633 in the US [2] Sales Performance - The food court sold 358,000 whole pizzas for Halloween and over 4.5 million pies in the three days leading up to Thanksgiving, averaging over 7,000 pies per warehouse during that period [2] - The success of new warehouse expansions has allowed Costco to drive top-line revenue significantly above comparable sales, gaining substantial market share [3] - Openings from the last fiscal year are generating annualized sales of more than $190 million per warehouse, an increase from $150 million two years ago [3] Legal Matters - Costco filed a lawsuit against the US government seeking a refund for all tariffs paid under President Donald Trump's executive order [4]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings call will serve as Costco's first public opportunity to address its legal strategy regarding tariffs, quantify financial implications, and respond to concerns about potential political backlash [1] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Costco reported net sales of $86.16 billion, net income of $2.61 billion, and earnings per share of $5.87, with comparable sales increasing by 5.7% and e-commerce growth at 13.5% [2] - Membership fee income rose approximately 14% following a fee increase in September 2024, with continued positive effects expected as renewals occur [2] Tariff Management Strategy - CFO Gary Millerchip outlined a strategy involving efficiency gains, cost absorption, and sourcing shifts to manage tariffs, but the market is seeking more transparency following the public lawsuit [3] - Key questions for investors include the size of the disputed tariff amount, the timeline for a Supreme Court decision, and how Costco plans to handle potential political or regulatory challenges [3] Profit Margin Concerns - Investors are focused on Costco's ability to maintain profit margins amid inflationary pressures, highlighted by a $43 million LIFO charge compared to an $8 million credit the previous year [4] - Analysts project Q1 FY26 revenue of $67.15 billion and earnings per share of $4.24, but management's comments on margin protection will be critical [4] Private-Label Brand Strategy - The Kirkland Signature brand is a key tool for Costco in mitigating tariff impacts, with management reporting a 29 basis point margin improvement in Q4 due to increased Kirkland penetration and supply chain efficiencies [5] - Investors are keen to see if Costco will accelerate Kirkland expansion in categories facing high tariff burdens [5] E-Commerce Growth - E-commerce growth exceeding 15% in fiscal 2025 provides Costco with strategic flexibility, allowing for quicker product mix changes and reduced inventory exposure through domestic sourcing and drop-ship models [6] - The company may increasingly rely on e-commerce to counteract tariff shocks and supply chain constraints [6] Supply Chain Adjustments - Costco's lawsuit indicates an unpredictable tariff landscape, suggesting ongoing supply chain adjustments [7] - Investors are looking for updates on inventory sourcing from China, diversification efforts, and capital spending related to long-term sourcing changes [7] Structural Strengths - Despite external risks, Costco's membership model generates predictable revenue, with renewal rates near 93% in the US and Canada, and the recent membership fee increase is expected to provide a multi-quarter earnings boost [11] - The expansion of private-label products supports margins while reducing reliance on tariff-heavy national brands, and strong e-commerce growth enhances sourcing flexibility [12] - Plans to open 35 new warehouses in fiscal 2026 reflect management's confidence in long-term demand [12]