Costco Q3 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Beat Expectations as Sales and E-Commerce Surge

Costco Wholesale Corp delivered strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings results, fueled by impressive comparable sales growth, higher membership income, and continued momentum in its expanding e-commerce business. The retailer once again demonstrated resilience amid ongoing economic uncertainty, keeping Costco stock in focus among investors watching consumer spending trends and retail sector performance.

For the quarter ended May 10, 2026, Costco reported net sales of $69.15 billion, representing an 11.6% increase from $61.97 billion recorded during the same period last year. Total revenue, which includes membership fees, climbed to $70.53 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $69.62 billion.

Net income rose significantly to $2.19 billion, or $4.93 per diluted share, compared with $1.90 billion, or $4.28 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. The strong earnings growth highlighted Costco’s ability to maintain steady customer demand and efficient operations despite broader macroeconomic pressures.

Worldwide comparable sales increased 9.8% during the quarter, while adjusted comparable sales, excluding gasoline price and foreign exchange impacts, advanced 6.6%. Costco’s e-commerce segment remained a major growth driver, with digitally enabled sales surging 21.5% year over year as more consumers continued shopping online.

International markets also delivered solid performance. Comparable sales in Canada increased 10.7%, while other international regions posted an 11.2% gain. In the United States, comparable sales rose 9.4%, reflecting strong membership loyalty and consistent consumer traffic across warehouse locations.

During the first 36 weeks of fiscal 2026, Costco generated net sales of $203.37 billion, up 9.6% from the previous year. Net income for the period reached $6.23 billion, or $14.01 per diluted share, reinforcing the company’s strong financial position and operational efficiency.

Costco ended the quarter operating 931 warehouses globally, including 639 locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, while continuing to expand both its international presence and digital footprint. The retailer also reported strong cash generation, with operating cash flow totaling $11.13 billion during the first 36 weeks of fiscal 2026, compared with $9.47 billion in the same period last year.

The latest earnings results underscore Costco’s ability to attract shoppers through competitive pricing, membership retention, and growing online sales, positioning the company for continued growth in the global retail market.