Key insights
- Costco reported stellar Q3 earnings, exceeding Wall Street estimates with an 11.6% increase in net sales to $69.15 billion. The company benefited from robust comparable sales growth (9.8% worldwide, 9.4% in the US), strong membership income, and a significant 21.5% surge in e-commerce sales. This performance indicates resilient consumer demand and effective operational execution, suggesting a positive signal for the broader retail sector and consumer discretionary spending, despite macroeconomic uncertainties.
Investing.com -- Costco Wholesale Corp reported strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Thursday, driven by robust comparable sales growth, rising membership income, and continued momentum in e-commerce operations.
Shares of Costco remains closely watched by investors as the retailer continued to benefit from resilient consumer demand, membership renewal strength, and growing online sales activity despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties.
The warehouse retailer posted quarterly net sales of $69.15 billion, an increase of 11.6% from $61.97 billion a year earlier. Total revenue, including membership fees, rose to $70.53 billion for the quarter ended May 10, 2026, beating Wall Street estimates of $69.62 billion.
Net income climbed to $2.19 billion, or $4.93 per diluted share, compared with $1.90 billion, or $4.28 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.
Comparable sales increased 9.8% worldwide during the quarter, while adjusted comparable sales — excluding gasoline price and foreign exchange impacts — rose 6.6%. Digitally enabled sales surged 21.5%, underscoring continued strength in Costco’s online business.
Among regions, Costco’s international operations posted strong gains, with comparable sales rising 10.7% in Canada and 11.2% in other international markets. U.S. comparable sales increased 9.4%.
For the first 36 weeks of fiscal 2026, Costco reported net sales of $203.37 billion, up 9.6% year over year, while net income rose to $6.23 billion, or $14.01 per diluted share.
The company ended the quarter with 931 warehouses globally, including 639 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and continued expanding its international and digital footprint.
Costco also reported strong cash generation, with operating cash flow reaching $11.13 billion during the first 36 weeks of fiscal 2026, compared with $9.47 billion in the prior-year period.
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