Core Insights - Costco's business model is centered around membership, which generates a reliable revenue stream and fosters strong customer loyalty [2][3] - The company has seen significant growth in membership numbers, with total paid members reaching 81.4 million, a 5.2% increase year-over-year [8] - Costco's performance has been bolstered by the current economic climate, as high prices encourage more consumers to seek membership and purchase goods at discounted rates [4][11] Membership and Revenue - Membership fees are a crucial source of revenue, allowing Costco to maintain lower prices on merchandise compared to traditional retailers [3] - Membership income grew by 7.3% year-over-year, driven by an increase in the membership base and upgrades to higher-tier memberships [7] - The company reported net sales of $65.98 billion for the first quarter, an 8.2% increase from $60.99 billion the previous year [5] Economic Positioning - Analysts suggest that Costco is well-positioned to thrive in a struggling economy, alongside competitors like Amazon and Walmart, due to its focus on value and consumer staples [11] - The economic downturn may lead to increased membership sign-ups as consumers look for cost-effective shopping options [4][12] - Historical data indicates that during economic crises, Costco's revenue may drop due to a shift in product mix towards lower-margin items, although customer visits remain strong [13] Performance Metrics - At the end of Q1, Costco had 39.7 million paid executive memberships, a 9.1% increase year-over-year [8] - The renewal rate for U.S. and Canada members was 92.2%, while the worldwide renewal rate was 89.7%, reflecting a slight decline [8][9] - The decline in renewal rates is attributed to a higher percentage of new online members, who renew at a lower rate compared to traditional warehouse sign-ups [9][10]

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]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net revenue of BRL 15.4 billion, a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [5] - EBITDA for the quarter was BRL 2.5 billion, contributing to a year-to-date total of BRL 5.3 billion, which is 11% higher than the same period last year [5][6] - Net income for the quarter was BRL 735 million, with a total of BRL 1.9 billion for the semester [5] - Free cash flow was approximately BRL 850 million, or BRL 1.3 billion when excluding the impact of the Hannon plant acquisition in China [5] - The company achieved a leverage ratio of 0.43 times LTM EBITDA, the lowest in its history [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Brazil, EBITDA reached BRL 1.3 billion with a margin of 16.4%, driven by volume growth in processed products [7] - The international market showed healthy margins, with an EBITDA margin of 170.3% for the quarter [9] - The ingredients and pets segment reported EBITDA of BRL 52 million, with an 8% increase in the customer base for pet products [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded its active customer base in Brazil to over 330,000 points of sale, achieving the highest second-quarter sales volume [7] - In Turkey, processed product volumes grew by 7% year-over-year, maintaining market share leadership [9] - The company gained 1.4 percentage points in market share in processed products in the GCC region [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasized its market diversification strategy, which is essential for growth and resilience against market fluctuations [15][17] - The launch of the Sadia Fresh line in Saudi Arabia is part of the strategy to strengthen its halal market presence [15] - The company continues to focus on expanding its portfolio of value-added products through strategic partnerships [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's journey towards sustainable growth, emphasizing operational excellence and financial discipline [18] - The company is prepared for potential challenges in the market, including the impact of avian influenza, and has contingency plans in place [25][66] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a competitive edge through data intelligence and timely decision-making [17] Other Important Information - The company reported a reduction in net debt to BRL 4.7 billion, the lowest since 2011, contributing to lower interest expenses [14] - The company has made significant progress in ESG initiatives, including greenhouse gas emission management and community education programs [12] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Impact of avian flu and market recovery potential - Management noted that the impact of avian flu was limited due to the opening of 198 new export permits, allowing for agile market reallocation [21][24] - The company is optimistic about recovering margins as markets, particularly in China, are expected to reopen soon [25] Question: Cost expectations in light of commodity price changes - Management indicated that a decrease in animal feed costs is anticipated in the second half of the year, with a potential 2% reduction in costs [30] - The company is monitoring labor costs closely, which may face inflationary pressures due to low unemployment [68] Question: Price resilience and future pricing strategies - Management confirmed that prices in Brazil have increased by 11% year-over-year for processed products, with further price adjustments expected [37] - The company is confident in maintaining price resilience due to strong domestic demand and employment levels [34] Question: Gross margin and production capacity - Management stated that the gross margin achieved was the highest since 2015, with expectations of maintaining profitability levels [40] - The company has effectively utilized its production capacity, reducing idle capacity significantly since 2022 [43] Question: Industry fundamentals and future outlook - Management believes that demand will continue to outpace supply in the poultry and beef sectors, with no significant changes expected in fundamentals [50] - The company is well-positioned to navigate competitive pressures and maintain strong margins [56]