# Costco Posts $95.72 Billion Q4 Revenue as Membership and Digital Sales Expand

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/costco-posts-95-72-billion-q4-revenue-as-membership-and-digital-sales-expand-4bb104
- Published: 2026-10-16T14:56:00Z
- Category: earnings; sentiment: mixed; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:COST](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-COST)
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) delivered fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $95.72 billion and earnings of $6.60 per share, excluding a 15-cent tariff refund benefit. Quarterly comparable store sales climbed 9.4%, or 6.7% after adjusting for fuel prices and exchange rates. Shopping frequency rose 3.3%, reflecting steady member engagement. The retailer's stock traded up 1.26% to $990.30 following the results.

The performance highlights the stability of Costco's membership-driven model. Total paid memberships reached 84.1 million in fiscal 2026, with Executive memberships rising 9.4% to 42.3 million and generating 75.2% of sales. North American membership renewal rates hit 92.3%. Digital channels also expanded, with full-year e-commerce sales exceeding $33 billion. However, Q4 gross margin narrowed by 11 basis points to 11.02%, weighed down by a $152 million LIFO charge and elevated commodity costs.

Going forward, consensus forecasts call for fiscal 2027 sales of $328.53 billion and earnings of $22.70 per share. Investors must balance this consistent outlook against a rich valuation of 42.3 times forward earnings. Key items to watch include margin execution under labor and inflation pressures, along with competitive performance against retail peers like Walmart Inc. (WMT) and Target Corporation (TGT).

## Key points

- Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) reported Q4 fiscal 2026 revenue of $95.72 billion and earnings per share of $6.60, excluding a tariff benefit.
- Paid memberships reached 84.1 million in fiscal 2026, while membership fee income grew 7.3% in the fourth quarter.
- Digitally enabled sales exceeded $33 billion for the full fiscal year, with fourth-quarter digital sales rising 19.5%.
- Fourth-quarter gross margin fell 11 basis points to 11.02%, affected by a $152 million LIFO charge and commodity inflation.
- The stock trades at a premium valuation of 42.3 times forward earnings compared to the broader market average of 19.6 times.

## Questions and answers

### What were Costco's Q4 fiscal 2026 revenue and earnings?

Costco reported fourth-quarter revenue of $95.72 billion and earnings per share of $6.60, excluding a 15-cent nonrecurring tariff refund benefit. Comparable sales rose 9.4% overall and 6.7% excluding fuel and exchange rate impacts.

### How many paid members does Costco have?

Total paid memberships reached 84.1 million in fiscal 2026, up 3.8%. Executive memberships increased 9.4% to 42.3 million, accounting for 75.2% of worldwide sales. Renewal rates stood at 92.3% in North America and 89.8% globally.

### What is Costco's stock valuation multiple?

Costco trades at 42.3 times forward 12-month earnings, compared to an average of 28.7 times for its industry group and 19.6 times for the S&P 500 index.