Key Takeaways Costco's Q4 revenues and earnings rose year over year, supported by strong membership and traffic.Membership fee income grew 14%, with renewal rates of 92.3% in the United States and Canada.COST plans modestly higher capex in fiscal 2026 to support 35 new store openings.Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) released its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Sept. 25, after the closing bell, drawing fresh attention from investors tracking the retail sector’s performance. Given its stable growth a ...

Group 1 - Costco Wholesale is recognized for its loyal membership base, steady traffic, and value-driven culture, making it a reliable performer in the retail sector [2] - The stock trades near all-time highs, reflecting a valuation premium over competitors, indicating strong investor confidence [2] - Despite its strengths, there are risks associated with the premium valuation, particularly concerning membership income and growth potential [3] Group 2 - Membership fees are crucial for Costco, generating $5.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025, which constitutes a significant portion of net income [5] - Renewal rates are high at approximately 90% globally and 92% in the U.S. and Canada, but there are concerns about potential saturation in the U.S. market [5][6] - The company's growth strategy relies heavily on international expansion, which presents both opportunities and risks [6][8] Group 3 - International growth is seen as the primary growth driver, with 914 warehouses globally, including locations in China and Europe [9] - Expanding internationally poses execution risks, as consumer preferences and competitive landscapes differ significantly across markets [10] - Successful adaptation of Costco's business model to various international markets is essential for sustained growth [10]

Key Points Costco's membership model works well in any environment, even when there's inflation. Its stock trades at a premium valuation, and any negative sentiment could send it down. Costco's been resonating with a digital-first crowd, resulting in increased online signups. 10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale › Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has been one of those stalwart stocks you can rely on to beat the market for decades. It has handily outperformed the S&P 500 over most time per ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco reported strong earnings and revenue results, demonstrating its pricing power and resilience in a challenging economic environment, making it a favorable investment option [1][11][12] Financial Performance - For the 16-week quarter, Costco achieved net sales of $84.43 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, and total revenue of $86.16 billion, surpassing estimates [2] - The net income for the quarter was $2.61 billion, translating to $5.87 in earnings per diluted share, exceeding expectations of $5.80 per share [2] - For the full fiscal year 2025, Costco's net sales reached approximately $269.9 billion, up from $249.6 billion in the previous year, with diluted EPS rising to $18.21 from $16.56 [3] Sales Trends - Comparable sales for Q4 showed strong performance, with adjusted U.S. sales increasing by 6%, Canada by 8.3%, and international sales by 7.2%, leading to an overall increase of 6.4% for the quarter [4] - E-commerce sales saw a significant rise, with adjusted comp sales increasing by 16.1% over the 52-week period [5] Membership and Cash Flow - Membership fees increased by 14% to $1.72 billion in Q4, highlighting the strength of Costco's membership model [5] - The company maintained robust free cash flow, with operating cash inflows of $13.34 billion and total cash/equivalents rising to $14.16 billion from $9.9 billion the previous year [6] Market Position and Consumer Behavior - Despite economic headwinds such as inflation and consumer spending cuts, Costco's commitment to low prices on essential goods has attracted more customers [7] - The company is strategically reinvesting a portion of its fee increases to enhance pricing competitiveness, benefiting both members and shareholders [7] Long-term Outlook - Although comparable sales growth has slowed in recent quarters, Costco's ability to grow in e-commerce and maintain a strong capital position suggests it remains a solid long-term investment [11] - The modest headline beat in earnings reflects Costco's defensive strength and potential for upside, reinforcing its value as a portfolio asset [12]

Investors are keeping an eye on business trends.On Sept. 25, Costco Wholesale (COST 0.13%) reported completed financial results for its fiscal 2025. And the stock immediately dropped. To be clear, the drop for Costco stock was extremely modest at around 3%. But a drop of any size would seem to indicate that investors were unenthused with the company's financial results, at best. And at worst, they're concerned.I believe that investors are leaning more toward the concerned side of the spectrum when it comes ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale is expected to announce a special dividend this December, potentially exceeding $10 per share, with a yield of approximately 1% to 1.5% [2][3] Financial Performance - In FQ4, Costco achieved 8.1% year-over-year revenue growth, surpassing market expectations, driven by a 6.4% system-wide comparable sales increase and growth in membership [2][3] - Net income rose nearly 10% and GAAP earnings increased by 11%, indicating strong cash flow to support capital spending and special dividends [4][5] Membership and Growth Metrics - Membership increased by 6.3%, and digital sales grew by 13.6%, contributing to overall growth [3] - The company plans to open up to 35 new stores in FY2026, representing a 3.8% increase in store count [4] Balance Sheet Strength - Costco's cash reserves increased by 43% in F2025, with current assets rising by $4.1 billion (12%) and total assets by $7 billion (10%) [5] - The company's leverage remains low, with total liabilities approximately 1.6 times equity, supporting its ability to pay special dividends [6] Analyst Sentiment and Stock Forecast - Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating for Costco, with a 12-month price forecast averaging $1,069.58, indicating a potential upside of 16.77% [7][8] - Institutional ownership stands at 58%, with a bullish trend in buying activity throughout the year [9] Technical Outlook - The stock is currently holding above critical support levels, with expectations of a rebound as dividend hunters enter the market [10] - A move to new highs could initiate a sustained rally, potentially reaching the analysts' high-end target near $1,225 [11]

Key Points Renewal rates ticked down sequentially, with management pointing to mix effects from online sign-ups. Membership fee income and paid households still climbed at healthy rates. With shares at about 50 times earnings, valuation -- not renewals -- is the main reason for caution. 10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale › After a powerful multi-year run, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has finally given investors something to worry about (or has it?): Membership renewal rates slipped ...

Core Insights - Costco continues to demonstrate strong performance, outpacing traditional retail competitors and expanding its global footprint [1][2] - The company reported an 8% revenue increase to $86.2 billion, slightly exceeding estimates, with comparable sales rising 6.4% [4] - Earnings per share increased by 11% to $5.87, surpassing consensus expectations [4] Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter reached $86.2 billion, up from $79.9 billion a year ago, slightly above the estimated $86.1 billion [4] - Comparable sales, adjusted for foreign currency and fuel prices, rose 6.4%, exceeding the consensus estimate of 5.9% [4] - Gross margin improved to 11.13%, an increase of 13 basis points year-over-year [5] - Membership income grew by 14%, with paid memberships increasing by 6.3% to 81 million [5] Membership and Expansion - Costco's recent warehouse expansions have allowed for increased sales of high-priced discretionary items [5] - The company has introduced extended store hours for executive members, which has led to an uptick in membership upgrades [6] - Membership renewal rates remain high, with a 92% renewal rate in North America and 90% worldwide [9] Market Position and Valuation - Despite strong earnings, Costco's stock fell by 0.8% in after-hours trading, reflecting its stable nature and low volatility [7] - The company does not provide forward guidance, contributing to a stable but potentially stagnant growth outlook [8] - Costco's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 51.8, indicating a premium valuation compared to other retailers, which may limit future stock growth [9][10]

It doesn’t get any bigger, or more appropriately bulkier, than the multinational retail corporation Costco. In general, retail performance over the past year has been influenced by consumers changing spending patterns amid inflation spikes, but ultimately, Costco stores consistently improve foot traffic. Consider This: I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: 5 Stocks You Shouldn’t Sell Learn More: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement Even with shoppers restricting their spending on discretionary items i ...

Core Insights - Costco's earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal fourth quarter was $5.87, with total revenue reaching $86.16 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations despite concerns over tariffs and inflation impacting consumer spending [1] - The company reported a net sales increase of 8% to $84.4 billion compared to $78.2 billion in the same quarter last year, with comparable sales in the U.S. rising 6% on an adjusted basis [2] Financial Performance - Wall Street had projected an EPS of $5.80 on revenue of $86 billion, with expectations for same-store sales growth of 5.9% year-over-year [3] - Membership fees generated $1.7 billion in revenue, marking a 14% year-over-year increase, highlighting strong customer loyalty with renewal rates frequently surpassing 90% [4] Market Position and Strategy - Costco's supply-chain capabilities and strong vendor relationships position it well to handle tariff-related pressures, with analysts noting that its value proposition could become more appealing in an inflationary environment [5] - The company has introduced an extra hour of shopping for executive members, which contributed an additional 1% to sales [4] Stock Performance and Valuation - Costco's stock has increased approximately 3.8% year-to-date, although it experienced a decline of less than 1% after the market closed [6] - Analysts express concerns regarding the sustainability of Costco's high valuation, indicating that the stock valuation is challenging compared to historical standards [6]