Costco fourth-quarter net sales rise to $93 billion on strong demand

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) said Wednesday in a filing that its net sales for the 16-week fourth quarter increased 11.2% to $93.87 billion from $84.43 billion in the prior-year period.

Key takeaways

• Fourth-quarter net sales rose 11.2% to $93.87 billion from $84.43 billion a year earlier.
• Net income for the quarter reached $2.998 billion, or $6.75 per diluted share.
• Full-year net sales grew 10.1% to $297.24 billion compared to $269.91 billion a year earlier.
• Total company comparable sales increased 9.4%, or 6.7% adjusted for gas and foreign exchange.
• Worldwide membership renewal rate stood at 89.8% with total cardholders reaching 150.4 million.

Fourth-quarter results

Here's how the company did:

• Net sales were $93,873 million, up from $84,432 million a year earlier.
• Membership fees were $1,850 million, up from $1,724 million a year earlier.
• Net income was $2,998 million, or $6.75 per diluted share, compared to $2,610 million, or $5.87 per diluted share, a year earlier.
• Full-year net income reached $9,226 million, or $20.76 per diluted share, compared to $8,099 million, or $18.21 per diluted share, a year earlier.
• Digitally-enabled comparable sales increased 19.5% for the quarter, or 19.8% adjusted for foreign exchange.

The fourth-quarter results included a non-recurring benefit of 15 cents per diluted share related to International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff refunds received during the quarter, less partial reinvestment of those refunds in increased member values through lower prices on items such as walnuts, coffee, and facial towels. Excluding this benefit, net income grew 12.3% and diluted earnings per share grew 12.4%.

Segment sales and warehouse expansion

Comparable sales varied across geographic segments for the 16-week period. U.S. comparable sales increased 10.7%, or 7.2% adjusted. Canada comparable sales rose 5.0%, or 4.6% adjusted. Other International comparable sales climbed 7.0%, or 6.2% adjusted.

Costco ended the fiscal year operating 939 warehouses globally, up from 914 warehouses at the end of fiscal 2025. The total includes 647 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 43 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand. The company estimates operating 967 warehouses by the end of fiscal 2027.

Why it matters

The financial results show continued top-line growth and resilient consumer demand across both physical warehouses and digital channels. Membership fee income increased 7.3% to $1.85 billion for the quarter, supported by growth in paid memberships to 84.1 million and Executive Memberships to 42.3 million. Total cardholders reached 150.4 million.

By the numbers

Conference call details

The company scheduled a conference call to discuss these operating results for 2.00 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 24, 2026. The webcast is made available on the investor relations website under events and presentations, alongside supplemental financial information for the fourth quarter.