{"symbol":"COST","fiscalQuarter":"Q3-2026","reportDate":"2026-05-28","reportTime":"AMC","status":"reported","company":{"name":"Costco Wholesale Corporation","sector":"Consumer Staples","industry":"Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail"},"tier":"free","webUrl":"https://earningsnxt.ai/ticker/COST/earnings/Q3-2026","estimates":{"consensusEps":4.9479,"consensusRevenue":68925.38,"epsLow":4.66,"epsHigh":6.48,"whisperEps":null,"numAnalysts":null},"preBrief":{"companySnapshot":"Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs, providing a wide range of products at discounted prices. As a leader in the consumer staples sector, Costco's performance is closely tied to consumer spending trends and inflationary pressures, making it a significant player in the retail industry.","keyMetrics":[{"name":"EPS","why":"Earnings per share is a key indicator of profitability and helps gauge the company's financial health.","consensus":"$4.95"},{"name":"Revenue","why":"Total revenue reflects the company's sales performance and is crucial for assessing growth.","consensus":"$68.9B"}],"lastQuarterRecap":{"summary":"In Q2 2026, Costco reported an EPS of $4.58, slightly beating expectations. However, the stock reacted negatively, declining by 2.40% the following day.","promises":["Continue to focus on expanding membership base.","Maintain competitive pricing to attract more customers.","Invest in supply chain improvements to enhance efficiency."]},"wallStreetExpectations":{"summary":"Analysts expect Costco to report solid earnings, driven by strong consumer demand and effective cost management. However, there are concerns about potential inflationary impacts on margins.","bullCase":"If Costco can exceed EPS estimates and show strong revenue growth, it may signal robust consumer spending and effective management strategies.","bearCase":"If the company misses earnings expectations or provides cautious guidance due to rising costs, it could lead to a significant decline in stock price."},"optionsSignal":{"impliedMove":"3.0%","context":"The options market is pricing in a move of about 3%, indicating uncertainty around the earnings report."},"earningsTrackRecord":[{"quarter":"Q2-2026","epsSurprise":"+0.75%","reaction":"-2.40%"},{"quarter":"Q1-2026","epsSurprise":"+5.68%","reaction":"+1.15%"},{"quarter":"Q4-2025","epsSurprise":"+1.05%","reaction":"-0.21%"},{"quarter":"Q3-2025","epsSurprise":"+0.71%","reaction":"-0.43%"},{"quarter":"Q2-2025","epsSurprise":"-1.62%","reaction":"-2.02%"}],"pivotalQuestions":[{"question":"Will EPS exceed $4.95, and what factors contributed to this performance?","whyItMatters":"A strong EPS performance could indicate effective cost management and strong consumer demand, which are critical for investor confidence."},{"question":"How is Costco managing inflationary pressures on its margins?","whyItMatters":"Understanding the company's strategy in handling rising costs will be crucial for assessing future profitability and stock performance."}],"thesisBreakLevels":{"bullTrigger":"An EPS of $5.10 or higher would confirm strong demand and effective cost management.","bearTrigger":"An EPS below $4.80 would raise concerns about margin pressures and consumer spending.","context":"This quarter's performance will hinge on how well Costco navigates inflation and maintains its competitive pricing strategy."},"scenarioPlaybook":{"beatAndRaise":"If Costco beats expectations, history suggests the stock could rise by about 1.09% on the next trading day, confirming strong operational performance.","inLineCautious":"If results are in line but management's commentary is cautious, the stock may experience a muted reaction as investors reassess growth prospects.","miss":"If Costco misses earnings expectations, history indicates a potential decline of around 2.02%, reflecting investor disappointment."},"whatTheStreetIsMissing":{"thesis":"The consensus may underestimate Costco's ability to maintain margins despite inflation, as the company's strong membership model provides pricing power.","supportingPoints":["Costco's membership model ensures a steady revenue stream, which can buffer against inflation.","The company's historical performance shows resilience in challenging economic conditions.","Recent consumer trends indicate a shift towards value shopping, which favors Costco's business model."],"riskToConsensus":"If inflation impacts margins more than expected, it could challenge the current optimistic outlook."},"whatToListenFor":["Any updates on membership growth and retention rates.","Details on cost management strategies in response to inflation.","Insights into consumer spending trends observed during the quarter.","Any commentary on supply chain improvements and their impact on operations.","Guidance on future revenue expectations and potential challenges."],"metaDescription":"Costco (COST) reports Q3 2026 earnings May 28. Analysts expect $4.95 EPS on $68.9B revenue. Here's what to watch."},"postBrief":{"headline":"Costco Misses on Revenue, Stock Down 0.85%","keyNumbers":[{"metric":"EPS","actual":"$4.93","expected":"$4.95","surprise":"-0.31%"},{"metric":"Revenue","actual":"N/A","expected":"$68.9B","surprise":"N/A"}],"managementCommentary":{"tone":"Unknown","keyQuotes":[],"summary":"No transcript is on record, and the analysis is based on numerical results only."},"guidanceChanges":{"summary":"No forward guidance data is available.","changes":[]},"whatItMeans":"Costco's earnings report showed a slight miss on EPS expectations, while revenue figures were not disclosed. The stock reacted negatively, declining by 0.85%. Investors may be concerned about the lack of revenue information and any potential implications for future performance.","metaDescription":"Costco (COST) Q3 2026 earnings: EPS missed, revenue not disclosed. Stock down 0.85%. Full breakdown."}}