COST Costco

XNGS Up Alert

Consumer Staples

· How we analyze

About the company

Costco runs warehouse stores where only paying members can shop. It offers food, household goods, electronics and fuel in large packs with a narrow range, also under its own Kirkland Signature brand. The stores are mainly in North America, plus Asia and Europe. As of Oct 11, 2026

Fact sheet (from the annual report) Department and discount stores · Issaquah, USA

Costco operates warehouse stores open only to paying members, in the United States and other countries. The concept relies on low prices with a limited selection of brand-name and private-label products. The range includes food and household items, fresh goods such as meat and baked goods, as well as consumer electronics and household appliances. In or next to the warehouses there are gas stations, pharmacies, food courts and optical centers. The company also runs online stores and ships goods through its own depots or directly from suppliers. Membership requires an annual fee, and for an extra charge there is the Executive tier with rewards.

Automatically summarized from SEC annual report (10-K, filed Oct 7, 2026) (website of the US Securities and Exchange Commission) · reviewed Oct 14, 2026

Price performance at a glance

Last 30 trading days
  • Today +0.2%
  • 7 days +1.0%
  • 30 days +8.9%
  • 1 year +7.8%
Day range (last trading day)
−0.6%Price at 38% of the range+1.0%
52-week range
−16.0%Price at 64% of the range+9.1%
Distance from the all-time high
−8.3%

Our own calculation from the exchange’s daily candles, as of Oct 26, 2026. “All-time” applies since the start of this series, not to the whole market. Changes in percent; the TradingView chart shows prices. “Today” = change of the last trading day versus the previous day. Not investment advice.

Double bottom · Analysis method

This method currently detects no pattern for COST. The check runs daily after the close.

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What does the pattern show?

What is this? The price has formed two similarly deep lows and broken above the neckline between them. This is seen as a sign that the downward move is ending.

This is a calculated analysis, not a forecast and not a call to buy. Risk notice and investment advice

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Symbol on TradingView: NASDAQ:COST

Fundamental analysis

Costco · Sector Consumer Staples · amounts in USD

Information only – does not affect the other analysis methods, not investment advice. Source: SEC filings, As of Oct 7, 2026.

Quality checks

Four angles on the annual figures. Each check counts how many disclosed criteria are met – criteria without data do not count. The bars show where the company ranks on each figure among the stocks we cover and within its sector.

Fiscal year to Aug 30, 2026

Quality Profitability, consistency, balance sheet 4 of 8 criteria met Growth Revenue and earnings per share 7 of 7 criteria met Dividend Level, consistency, coverage · 3 without data 4 of 4 criteria met Financial strength Piotroski, debt, liquidity 6 of 6 criteria met

Quality 4 of 8 met

  • not met: Gross margin above 40% 12.8%
  • not met: Operating margin above 15% 3.9%
  • not met: Net margin above 10% 3.0%
  • met: Return on equity above 15% 25.8%
  • not met: Free cash flow margin above 10% 3.1%
  • met: Profit in each of the last 5 fiscal years 5 of 5
  • met: Free cash flow positive in each of the last 3 fiscal years 3 of 3
  • met: Equity ratio above 30% 40.2%
Gross margin

12.8% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 8 of 100: higher than 8% of 153 peers (All). weak.

Rank 5 of 100: higher than 5% of 10 peers (Sector). weak.

Median Consumer Staples: 52.2%

Share of revenue left after the direct cost of the products sold.

Operating margin

3.9% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 26 of 100: higher than 26% of 192 peers (All). weak.

Rank 5 of 100: higher than 5% of 10 peers (Sector). weak.

Median Consumer Staples: 14.2%

Operating income divided by revenue: what the core business earns before interest and taxes.

Net margin

3.0% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 21 of 100: higher than 21% of 237 peers (All). weak.

Rank 5 of 100: higher than 5% of 10 peers (Sector). weak.

Median Consumer Staples: 9.6%

Profit after all costs, interest and taxes divided by revenue.

Return on equity

25.8% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 66 of 100: higher than 66% of 218 peers (All). medium.

Rank 50 of 100: higher than 50% of 7 peers (Sector). medium.

Median Consumer Staples: 25.8%

Net income divided by equity at fiscal year end.

Return on assets

10.4% Fiscal year 2026 (total assets at year end)

Rank 71 of 100: higher than 71% of 238 peers (All). strong.

Rank 45 of 100: higher than 45% of 10 peers (Sector). medium.

Median Consumer Staples: 11.4%

Net income divided by total assets at fiscal year end.

Equity ratio

40.2% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 59 of 100: higher than 59% of 239 peers (All). medium.

Rank 85 of 100: higher than 85% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: 28.9%

Equity as a share of total assets. Usually low for banks.

Free cash flow margin

3.1% Fiscal year 2026

Rank 25 of 100: higher than 25% of 213 peers (All). weak.

Rank 25 of 100: higher than 25% of 10 peers (Sector). weak.

Median Consumer Staples: 9.7%

Free cash flow divided by revenue.

Free cash flow

9.4B USD Fiscal year 2026

Operating cash flow minus capital expenditure on property and equipment.

Growth 7 of 7 met

  • met: Over 3 years, revenue grew by more than 5% per year +7.8%
  • met: Over 5 years, revenue grew by more than 5% per year +9.1%
  • met: Over 10 years, revenue grew by more than 5% per year +9.8%
  • met: Over 3 years, EPS grew by more than 5% per year +13.6%
  • met: Over 5 years, EPS grew by more than 5% per year +13.0%
  • met: Revenue rose in at least 4 of the last 5 fiscal years 5 of 5
  • met: Revenue rose in the last fiscal year +10.1%
Revenue growth 3 years

+7.8% per year

Rank 46 of 100: higher than 46% of 230 peers (All). medium.

Rank 85 of 100: higher than 85% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +4.0%

Average growth per year over 3 fiscal years.

Revenue growth 5 years

+9.1% per year

Rank 43 of 100: higher than 43% of 217 peers (All). medium.

Rank 95 of 100: higher than 95% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +5.5%

Average growth per year over 5 fiscal years.

Revenue growth 10 years

+9.8% per year

Rank 62 of 100: higher than 62% of 157 peers (All). medium.

Rank 94 of 100: higher than 94% of 9 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +2.9%

Average growth per year over 10 fiscal years.

EPS growth 3 years

+13.6% per year

Rank 54 of 100: higher than 54% of 157 peers (All). medium.

Rank 85 of 100: higher than 85% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +8.3%

Growth of earnings per share per year, adjusted for stock splits.

EPS growth 5 years

+13.0% per year

Rank 48 of 100: higher than 48% of 146 peers (All). medium.

Rank 95 of 100: higher than 95% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +5.4%

Growth of earnings per share per year, adjusted for stock splits.

EPS growth 10 years

+14.6% per year

Rank 69 of 100: higher than 69% of 140 peers (All). strong.

Rank 94 of 100: higher than 94% of 9 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: +5.6%

Growth of earnings per share per year, adjusted for stock splits.

Dividend 4 of 4 met · 3 without data

  • met: Pays a dividend 5.54 USD
  • met: Payout ratio at most 60% of earnings 27%
  • no data: Dividend paid in each of the last 5 fiscal years not reported as an annual figure for each of the last 5 fiscal years
  • no data: Dividend per share never lowered in the last 5 fiscal years not reported as an annual figure for each of the last 5 fiscal years
  • no data: Dividend per share higher than 5 years ago no comparable dividend 5 years ago
  • met: Free cash flow per share covers the dividend 3.8x
  • met: Dividends paid over the last 5 years covered by free cash flow 48% of free cash flow
Payout ratio

27% Fiscal year 2026

Dividend per share divided by earnings per share.

Free cash flow coverage

3.8x Fiscal year 2026

Free cash flow per share divided by dividend per share. From 1x the dividend is covered.

Financial strength 6 of 6 met

  • met: Piotroski F-Score at least 7 of 9 7 of 9
  • met: Long-term debt no higher than equity 0.11
  • met: Current assets cover current liabilities 1.06
  • met: Positive equity 35.8B USD
  • met: In 5 years, share count up by at most 5% 0.0%
  • met: Free cash flow positive in the last fiscal year 9.4B USD
Piotroski F-Score

7 of 9 Fiscal year 2026

Rank 72 of 100: higher than 72% of 134 peers (All). strong.

Rank 65 of 100: higher than 65% of 10 peers (Sector). medium.

Median Consumer Staples: 6.5 of 9

Nine yes/no tests on profit, cash flow, debt, liquidity and efficiency compared with the prior year.

Debt / equity

0.11 at fiscal year end

Rank 88 of 100: lower than 88% of 199 peers (All). strong.

Rank 94 of 100: lower than 94% of 8 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: 0.80

Long-term financial debt divided by equity.

Liquidity (current ratio)

1.06 at fiscal year end

Rank 30 of 100: higher than 30% of 215 peers (All). weak.

Rank 85 of 100: higher than 85% of 10 peers (Sector). strong.

Median Consumer Staples: 0.84

Current assets divided by current liabilities.

Change in share count

0.0% in 5 years

Rank 43 of 100: lower than 43% of 199 peers (All). medium.

Rank 5 of 100: lower than 5% of 10 peers (Sector). weak.

Median Consumer Staples: −5.8%

Change in diluted share count. Negative = share buybacks, positive = new shares.

The 9 criteria of the Piotroski F-Score
  • met: Profit in the last fiscal year (positive return on assets)
  • met: Positive operating cash flow
  • met: Return on assets higher than the prior year
  • met: Operating cash flow higher than net income
  • met: Long-term debt relative to total assets fell
  • met: Liquidity (current assets / current liabilities) rose
  • met: No additional shares (diluted share count did not rise)
  • not met: Gross margin higher than the prior year
  • not met: Revenue relative to total assets higher than the prior year

Last fiscal year compared with the one before. Returns and revenue per total assets use total assets at the start of the year; leverage = long-term financial debt divided by total assets at year end; new shares via the average diluted share count.

Price-based criteria (P/E, dividend yield) are shown to signed-in users.

Computed automatically from SEC annual reports – not investment advice. Describes the reported figures; points are not a rating of the stock. Rank 0–100 against the 239 stocks we cover and against the sector (from 5 peers); the stronger side is always on the right.

In short

  • Light green: Revenue grew over 5 years (+9.1% per year), at least as fast as the sector median.
  • Light green: Net income (total) grew over 5 years (+13.0% per year), at least as fast as the sector median; per share +13.0% per year.
  • Light yellow: Net margin 3.0%, below the sector median (6.6%).
  • Light green: Debt not higher than usual in the sector.
  • Light green: Profit in each of the last 10 fiscal years.

Summarized from the lights below. Describes the reported figures – not a recommendation to buy or sell.

RevenueNet income Net margin (below) in USD
  1. Fiscal year 2017 (Aug 29, 2016 – Sep 3, 2017): Revenue 129.0B USD · Net income 2.7B USD · Net margin 2.1%
  2. Fiscal year 2018 (Sep 4, 2017 – Sep 2, 2018): Revenue 141.6B USD · Net income 3.1B USD · Net margin 2.2%
  3. Fiscal year 2019 (Sep 3, 2018 – Sep 1, 2019): Revenue 152.7B USD · Net income 3.7B USD · Net margin 2.4%
  4. Fiscal year 2020 (Sep 2, 2019 – Aug 30, 2020): Revenue 166.8B USD · Net income 4.0B USD · Net margin 2.4%
  5. Fiscal year 2021 (Aug 31, 2020 – Aug 29, 2021): Revenue 195.9B USD · Net income 5.0B USD · Net margin 2.6%
  6. Fiscal year 2022 (Aug 30, 2021 – Aug 28, 2022): Revenue 227.0B USD · Net income 5.8B USD · Net margin 2.6%
  7. Fiscal year 2023 (Aug 29, 2022 – Sep 3, 2023): Revenue 242.3B USD · Net income 6.3B USD · Net margin 2.6%
  8. Fiscal year 2024 (Sep 4, 2023 – Sep 1, 2024): Revenue 254.5B USD · Net income 7.4B USD · Net margin 2.9%
  9. Fiscal year 2025 (Sep 2, 2024 – Aug 31, 2025): Revenue 275.2B USD · Net income 8.1B USD · Net margin 2.9%
  10. Fiscal year 2026 (Sep 1, 2025 – Aug 30, 2026): Revenue 303.2B USD · Net income 9.2B USD · Net margin 3.0%

Fiscal year 2026 (Sep 1, 2025 – Aug 30, 2026): Revenue 303.2B USD · Net income 9.2B USD · Net margin 3.0%

Figures over time

Where the money of a fiscal year goes and how margins, returns, balance sheet, cash flow and share count developed over up to 10 years. Each chart has one sentence saying what the trend shows.

Money flow in fiscal year 2026

Of 100 USD of revenue, 12.8 USD gross profit, 3.9 USD operating income and 3.0 USD net income remained.

Money flow as a table
Fiscal year 2026, amounts in USD, share of revenue
ItemAmountof revenue
Revenue303.2B USD100.0%
Gross profit38.9B USD12.8%
Cost of revenue264.3B USD87.2%
Operating income11.7B USD3.9%
Operating expenses27.2B USD9.0%
Net income9.2B USD3.0%
Interest expense145.0M USD0.0%
Taxes & other (net)2.3B USD0.8%

Taxes, interest and other items are not available separately in the SEC data; they are combined as the difference.

Margins

The operating margin stayed roughly the same in 5 years (3.9%).

Gross marginOperating marginNet margin
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Gross margin 13.3% · Operating margin 3.2% · Net margin 2.1%
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Gross margin 13.0% · Operating margin 3.2% · Net margin 2.2%
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Gross margin 10.8% · Operating margin 3.1% · Net margin 2.4%
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Gross margin 13.1% · Operating margin 3.3% · Net margin 2.4%
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Gross margin 12.9% · Operating margin 3.4% · Net margin 2.6%
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Gross margin 12.1% · Operating margin 3.4% · Net margin 2.6%
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Gross margin 12.3% · Operating margin 3.3% · Net margin 2.6%
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Gross margin 12.6% · Operating margin 3.6% · Net margin 2.9%
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Gross margin 12.8% · Operating margin 3.8% · Net margin 2.9%
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Gross margin 12.8% · Operating margin 3.9% · Net margin 3.0%

Returns

Return on equity fell in 5 years from 28.5% to 25.8%.

Return on equityReturn on assets
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Return on equity 24.9% · Return on assets 7.4%
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Return on equity 24.5% · Return on assets 7.7%
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Return on equity 24.0% · Return on assets 8.1%
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Return on equity 21.9% · Return on assets 7.2%
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Return on equity 28.5% · Return on assets 8.4%
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Return on equity 28.3% · Return on assets 9.1%
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Return on equity 25.1% · Return on assets 9.1%
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Return on equity 31.2% · Return on assets 10.5%
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Return on equity 27.8% · Return on assets 10.5%
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Return on equity 25.8% · Return on assets 10.4%

Equity and long-term debt

The equity ratio rose in 5 years from 29.6% to 40.2%.

EquityLong-term debt in USD Long-term debt, depending on the filing, includes the current portion or leases.
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Equity 10.8B USD · Long-term debt 6.6B USD
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Equity 12.8B USD · Long-term debt 6.5B USD
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Equity 15.2B USD · Long-term debt 5.1B USD
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Equity 18.3B USD · Long-term debt 7.5B USD
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Equity 17.6B USD · Long-term debt 6.7B USD
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Equity 20.6B USD · Long-term debt 6.5B USD
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Equity 25.1B USD · Long-term debt 5.4B USD
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Equity 23.6B USD · Long-term debt 5.8B USD
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Equity 29.2B USD · Long-term debt 5.7B USD
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Equity 35.8B USD · Long-term debt 3.9B USD

Liquidity (current ratio)

The current ratio rose in 5 years from 1.00 to 1.06.

Current ratio
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Current ratio 0.99
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Current ratio 1.02
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Current ratio 1.01
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Current ratio 1.13
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Current ratio 1.00
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Current ratio 1.02
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Current ratio 1.07
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Current ratio 0.97
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Current ratio 1.03
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Current ratio 1.06

Cash flow

Free cash flow rose in 5 years from 5.4B USD to 9.4B USD.

Operating cash flowCapital expenditureFree cash flow in USD
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Operating cash flow 6.7B USD · Capital expenditure 2.5B USD · Free cash flow 4.2B USD
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Operating cash flow 5.8B USD · Capital expenditure 3.0B USD · Free cash flow 2.8B USD
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Operating cash flow 6.4B USD · Capital expenditure 3.0B USD · Free cash flow 3.4B USD
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Operating cash flow 8.9B USD · Capital expenditure 2.8B USD · Free cash flow 6.1B USD
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Operating cash flow 9.0B USD · Capital expenditure 3.6B USD · Free cash flow 5.4B USD
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Operating cash flow 7.4B USD · Capital expenditure 3.9B USD · Free cash flow 3.5B USD
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Operating cash flow 11.1B USD · Capital expenditure 4.3B USD · Free cash flow 6.7B USD
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Operating cash flow 11.3B USD · Capital expenditure 4.7B USD · Free cash flow 6.6B USD
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Operating cash flow 13.3B USD · Capital expenditure 5.5B USD · Free cash flow 7.8B USD
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Operating cash flow 15.8B USD · Capital expenditure 6.4B USD · Free cash flow 9.4B USD

Share count

The share count stayed roughly the same in 5 years.

Diluted share count
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Diluted share count 440.9M
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Diluted share count 441.8M
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Diluted share count 442.9M
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Diluted share count 443.9M
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Diluted share count 444.3M
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Diluted share count 444.8M
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Diluted share count 444.5M
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Diluted share count 444.8M
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Diluted share count 444.8M
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Diluted share count 444.4M

From annual reports filed with the SEC (10-K, 20-F, 40-F) as first reported, share count adjusted for splits; obvious filing errors (e.g. wrong unit, outliers against both neighbouring years) are hidden. Describes the reported figures – not investment advice.

Dividends and share repurchases

How much the company returns to its shareholders – as dividends or by repurchasing its own shares – and whether free cash flow supports it.

Dividend per share
5.54 USD · Fiscal year 2026
Dividend growth per year
3 y –5 y –10 y –
Years without a cut
at least 3 as far as the data goes
Payout ratio
of earnings 27% of free cash flow 26%
To shareholders (5 years)
20.0B USD 18% through repurchases
Share count over 5 years
0.0% roughly unchanged

Dividend per share

The dividend per share rose in 3 years from 3.84 USD to 5.54 USD.

Dividend per share USD per share Per share as filed with the SEC, including special dividends; obvious filing errors are hidden.
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Dividend per share 8.90 USD
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Dividend per share 2.14 USD
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Dividend per share 2.44 USD
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Dividend per share not available
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Dividend per share not available
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Dividend per share not available
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Dividend per share 3.84 USD
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Dividend per share 19.36 USD
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Dividend per share 4.92 USD
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Dividend per share 5.54 USD

Payout ratios

The payout ratio stayed roughly the same in 3 years (26.7%).

Payout ratio (earnings)Payout ratio (free cash flow)
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Payout ratio (earnings) 146.4% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 92.4%
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Payout ratio (earnings) 30.2% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 24.6%
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Payout ratio (earnings) 29.5% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 30.9%
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Payout ratio (earnings) not available · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 24.4%
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Payout ratio (earnings) not available · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 107.0%
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Payout ratio (earnings) not available · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 42.8%
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Payout ratio (earnings) 27.1% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 18.5%
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Payout ratio (earnings) 116.9% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 136.4%
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Payout ratio (earnings) 27.0% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 27.9%
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Payout ratio (earnings) 26.7% · Payout ratio (free cash flow) 26.2%

What goes back to shareholders

Over 5 years, 20.0B USD went back to shareholders, 18% of it through share repurchases. That is 59% of the free cash flow of those years.

Dividends paidShare repurchasesNew shares issued (including employee plans)Free cash flow in USD
  1. Fiscal year 2017: Dividends paid 3.9B USD · Share repurchases 469.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 4.2B USD
  2. Fiscal year 2018: Dividends paid 689.0M USD · Share repurchases 328.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 2.8B USD
  3. Fiscal year 2019: Dividends paid 1.0B USD · Share repurchases 247.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 3.4B USD
  4. Fiscal year 2020: Dividends paid 1.5B USD · Share repurchases 196.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 6.1B USD
  5. Fiscal year 2021: Dividends paid 5.7B USD · Share repurchases 496.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 5.4B USD
  6. Fiscal year 2022: Dividends paid 1.5B USD · Share repurchases 439.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 3.5B USD
  7. Fiscal year 2023: Dividends paid 1.3B USD · Share repurchases 676.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 6.7B USD
  8. Fiscal year 2024: Dividends paid 9.0B USD · Share repurchases 700.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 6.6B USD
  9. Fiscal year 2025: Dividends paid 2.2B USD · Share repurchases 903.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 7.8B USD
  10. Fiscal year 2026: Dividends paid 2.5B USD · Share repurchases 848.0M USD · New shares issued (including employee plans) not available · Free cash flow 9.4B USD

Dividends paid, repurchases and new shares issued from the cash flow statement of annual reports filed with the SEC (as first reported). Describes the reported figures – not investment advice.

Valuation over time

Price-based valuation (P/E, P/S, price/free cash flow and dividend yield per fiscal year, compared with its own average) for signed-in users.

Sector comparison

Costco next to 8 stocks of the sector Consumer Staples we cover that are closest in revenue. Click a column header to sort the table.

Sector comparison COST, sector Consumer Staples; last row: sector median
Symbol Revenue (FY) Growth 5 yrsGross marginOp. marginNet marginROEEquity ratioFCF marginPiotroski
WMT Walmart 713.2B USD +5.0%24.9%4.2%3.1%22.0%35.0%2.1%8/9
COST Costco this stock 303.2B USD +9.1%12.8%3.9%3.0%25.8%40.2%3.1%7/9
TGT Target Corporation 104.8B USD +2.3%27.9%4.9%3.5%22.9%27.2%2.7%5/9
PEP PepsiCo 93.9B USD +5.9%54.1%12.2%8.8%40.4%19.0%8.2%6/9
PG Procter & Gamble 87.0B USD +2.7%50.2%22.7%18.4%29.5%42.9%17.4%6/9
KO Coca-Cola Company (The) 47.9B USD +7.7%61.6%28.7%27.3%40.7%30.7%11.0%7/9
PM Philip Morris International 40.6B USD +7.2%67.1%36.6%27.9%–−14.4%26.2%8/9
MDLZ Mondelez International 38.5B USD +7.7%28.4%9.2%6.4%9.5%36.1%8.4%5/9
MO Altria 23.3B USD −2.3%62.5%42.5%29.8%–−10.0%39.0%7/9
Median of the sector 10 symbols 67.5B USD +5.5%52.2%14.2%9.6%25.8%28.9%9.7%6.5/9

Growth 5 yrs = revenue growth per year over 5 fiscal years · Op. margin = operating margin · ROE = return on equity · FCF = free cash flow · Piotroski = F-Score (only with all 9 criteria).

Figures of the last fiscal year from SEC annual reports (peers as of Oct 28, 2026). Median across all companies of the sector we cover (from 5 stocks; several share classes of one company count once). Signed-in users also see P/E, P/S and dividend yield in the comparison. Describes the reported figures – not investment advice.

Key figures with traffic lights

Each light follows a simple, disclosed rule. The comparison is with the sector median of all 34 symbols in the Consumer Staples sector on our list (current members of the S&P 500 and other lists).

Revenue growth

Light green: above sector

+9.1% per year, last 5 years

Sector Consumer Staples: median +4.7% (31 symbols)

What does this mean? Revenue: over 5 years it grew by 9.1% per year on average – at least as fast as the median company in the sector (+4.7%).

Light rule: Green: grows at least as fast as the sector median (without a sector comparison: grows) · Yellow: grows more slowly · Red: shrinks.

Net income (total)

Light green: above sector

+13.0% per year, last 5 years

Sector Consumer Staples: median −2.1% (28 symbols)

per share: +13.0% per year (5 years, split-adjusted)

What does this mean? Total net income: over 5 years it grew by 13.0% per year on average – at least as fast as the median company in the sector (−2.1%).

Light rule: Green: grows at least as fast as the sector median (without a sector comparison: grows) · Yellow: grows more slowly · Red: shrinks.

Net margin

Light yellow: below sector

3.0% last fiscal year

Sector Consumer Staples: median 6.6% (33 symbols)

What does this mean? Of every 100 USD in revenue, 3.04 USD remained as profit – less than the median company in the sector (6.6%). Five years ago the margin was 2.6%.

Light rule: Green: at least the sector median (without a sector comparison: profit) · Yellow: profit, but below the median · Red: loss.

Debt / equity

Light green: lower than sector

0.11 latest balance sheet

Sector Consumer Staples: median 0.70 (29 symbols)

What does this mean? For every 1 USD of equity there is 0.11 USD of financial debt – no more than the median company in the sector (0.70). More debt amplifies good and bad years alike.

Light rule: Green: at most the sector median · Yellow: up to twice the median · Red: more than twice · Gray: without a sector comparison.

Payout ratio

Light green: covered

27% Dividend / earnings per share

Sector Consumer Staples: median 71% (24 symbols)

What does this mean? Of every 1 USD of earnings per share, 0.27 USD went to shareholders as a dividend. The rest stays in the company. Median company in the sector: 71%.

Light rule: Green: up to 60% of earnings · Yellow: up to 100% · Red: more than earnings or a dividend despite a loss · Gray for real estate (REITs). The sector median is for comparison only.

Profitable years

Light green: profit every year

10 of 10 fiscal years with a profit

What does this mean? In 10 of the last 10 fiscal years the bottom line showed a profit. There were no losses in this period.

Light rule: Green: profit in every year · Yellow: one loss year · Red: several loss years (at least 3 years needed).

Last fiscal year and 13F

Information, not a trading signal · Source: SEC EDGAR
Revenue (FY)
303.2B USD
Revenue vs. prior year
+10.1%
Net income (FY)
9.2B USD
Net income vs. prior year
+13.9%
EPS (FY)
20.76 USD
13F funds with a position
1 of 9
Funds vs. prior quarter
−1
Shares held vs. prior quarter
−88.6%
Fiscal year to Aug 30, 2026 · 10-K filed Oct 7, 2026 · Balance sheet Aug 30, 2026 (filed Oct 7, 2026) · Price-based figures (P/E, P/S, dividend yield, market cap) only when logged in. · Values as first reported; debt = reported financial debt (US GAAP: long-term). 13F: reporting date Jun 30, 2026, 9 tracked funds have filed (latest Aug 14, 2026), filed with up to 45 days of delay. Stock positions only; comparison with Mar 31, 2026 only across funds that filed for both quarters.
All figures as a table
Fiscal years (amounts in USD, per share in USD)
YearEndRevenueNet income MarginEarnings per shareDividend per sharePayout
2026Aug 30, 2026 303.2B9.2B 3.0% 20.76 5.54 27%
2025Aug 31, 2025 275.2B8.1B 2.9% 18.21 4.92 27%
2024Sep 1, 2024 254.5B7.4B 2.9% 16.56 19.36 117%
2023Sep 3, 2023 242.3B6.3B 2.6% 14.16 3.84 27%
2022Aug 28, 2022 227.0B5.8B 2.6% 13.14 – –
2021Aug 29, 2021 195.9B5.0B 2.6% 11.27 – –
2020Aug 30, 2020 166.8B4.0B 2.4% 9.02 – –
2019Sep 1, 2019 152.7B3.7B 2.4% 8.26 2.44 30%
2018Sep 2, 2018 141.6B3.1B 2.2% 7.09 2.14 30%
2017Sep 3, 2017 129.0B2.7B 2.1% 6.08 8.90 146%
Quarters (amounts in USD, per share in USD)
QuarterEndRevenueNet income MarginEarnings per shareDividend per sharePayout
Q2/26May 10, 2026 70.5B2.2B 3.1% 4.93 1.47 30%
Q1/26Feb 15, 2026 69.6B2.0B 2.9% 4.58 1.30 28%
Q4/25Nov 23, 2025 67.3B2.0B 3.0% 4.50 1.30 29%
Q2/25May 11, 2025 63.2B1.9B 3.0% 4.28 1.30 30%
Q1/25Feb 16, 2025 63.7B1.8B 2.8% 4.02 1.16 29%
Q4/24Nov 24, 2024 62.2B1.8B 2.9% 4.04 1.16 29%
Q2/24May 12, 2024 58.5B1.7B 2.9% 3.78 1.16 31%
Q1/24Feb 18, 2024 58.4B1.7B 3.0% 3.92 1.02 26%
Q4/23Nov 26, 2023 57.8B1.6B 2.7% 3.58 1.02 28%
Q2/23May 7, 2023 53.6B1.3B 2.4% 2.93 – –
Q1/23Feb 12, 2023 55.3B1.5B 2.7% 3.30 – –
Q4/22Nov 20, 2022 54.4B1.4B 2.5% 3.07 – –

* Q4 derived: fiscal year minus the 9-month value (EPS cannot be derived this way); may be distorted by restatements.

How we calculate: values as first reported to the SEC (later corrections are left out), a fixed order of reporting tags per figure, partial sums are never added up. Growth per year over 5 years (otherwise 3 years). Quarters are labeled by the calendar quarter in which they end.

Insiders

All insider transactions
Insider purchases and sales on the market over 3, 6 and 12 months
PeriodPurchasesSalesNet
3 months $00 people $3.8M3 people −$3.8M
6 months $00 people $4.6M4 people −$4.6M
12 months $00 people $14.6M9 people −$14.6M

Latest transactions

  • Oct 13, 2026 Wilcox William Richard Officer Open-market sale 1,100 shares · $1.1M · SEC
  • Sep 29, 2026 Frates Caton Officer Open-market sale 801 shares · $733.3K · SEC
  • Sep 29, 2026 Adamo Claudine Officer Open-market sale 2,200 shares · $2.0M · SEC
  • Jun 23, 2026 Denman Kenneth D Director Open-market sale 885 shares · $847.3K · SEC
  • Apr 1, 2026 Frates Caton Officer Open-market sale 700 shares · $695.1K · SEC
  • Mar 9, 2026 Adamo Claudine Officer Open-market sale 730 shares · $732.2K · SEC

Source: mandatory filings with the SEC (Form 4), open-market purchases and sales only. General information, not investment advice.

Trend score +50

Price vs. EMA 50+15
Price vs. EMA 200+15
EMA 50 vs. EMA 200-20
ADX (trend strength)+15
Highs and lows+10
Relative strength+15

Volatility and trend strength

ADX 14 (trend strength)40.0
Rel. strength 60 d+3.1%

ATR and moving averages as price values only when logged in.

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