Post-earnings recap
Reported
Thu, May 28, 2026
EPS actual
$4.93
EPS est.
$4.92
EPS surprise
+0.31%
1-day move
-0.85%
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.
| Metric | Actual | Expected | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPS | $4.93 | $4.95 | -0.31% |
| Revenue | N/A | $68.9B | N/A |
No transcript is on record, and the analysis is based on numerical results only.
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.
Last quarter
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.
Management promises and guidance
EPS beat streak
6Q
EPS beat rate
88%
Avg EPS surprise
+2.22%
Avg 1-day reaction
-0.79%
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.
Bull case
If Costco can exceed EPS estimates and show strong revenue growth, it may signal robust consumer spending and effective management strategies.
Bear case
If the company misses earnings expectations or provides cautious guidance due to rising costs, it could lead to a significant decline in stock price.
Key metrics to watch
EPS
$4.95Earnings per share is a key indicator of profitability and helps gauge the company's financial health.
Revenue
$68.9BTotal revenue reflects the company's sales performance and is crucial for assessing growth.
The print will turn on these.
Q1
Will EPS exceed $4.95, and what factors contributed to this performance?
A strong EPS performance could indicate effective cost management and strong consumer demand, which are critical for investor confidence.
Q2
How is Costco managing inflationary pressures on its margins?
Understanding the company's strategy in handling rising costs will be crucial for assessing future profitability and stock performance.
—
Est. EPS
$1.01
Est. Rev
$543M
Impl. Move
±8.7%
Why consensus could be wrong
The consensus may underestimate Costco's ability to maintain margins despite inflation, as the company's strong membership model provides pricing power.
Supporting evidence
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.
Key risk
If inflation impacts margins more than expected, it could challenge the current optimistic outlook.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
This quarter's performance will hinge on how well Costco navigates inflation and maintains its competitive pricing strategy.
Bull confirmed if
An EPS of $5.10 or higher would confirm strong demand and effective cost management.
Bear confirmed if
An EPS below $4.80 would raise concerns about margin pressures and consumer spending.
What the market is pricing for the move.
Implied Move
±3.0%
Historical Avg
±1.1%
The options market is pricing in a move of about 3%, indicating uncertainty around the earnings report.
Options are pricing ±3.0% while COST has averaged ±1.1% over the last 8 prints — setup is pricing rich.
ATM IV
0.5%
30d HV
21.3%
Open-market trades by officers, directors, and 10%+ holders over the trailing 90 days.
Bought
$0.00
0 sh
0 insiders
Sold
$2.7M
3,000.638 sh
2 insiders
Net
$2.7M
Net selling
Most Active Insiders· 2 open-market trades
$2.0M
Net selling
Likely market behavior by outcome. Not investment advice.
Beat & raise
If Costco beats expectations, history suggests the stock could rise by about 1.09% on the next trading day, confirming strong operational performance.
In line / cautious
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.
House and Senate STOCK Act disclosures over the trailing 6 months.
Trades
2
1 buy·1 sell
Members
2
House only
Est. Notional
$2,002.00–$30,000.00
disclosed dollar ranges
Most Active Members
1 trade
The lines on the call that would change the story.
$733,328.36
Net selling
Recent Transactions
Sep 29, 2026 · @ $915.93
2,200 sh
$2.0M
Sep 29, 2026 · @ $915.93
800.638 sh
$733,328.36
Open-market trades only (Form 4 codes P/S). Awards, exercises, and tax-withholding excluded as routine compensation noise.
Net selling
1 trade
Net buying
Recent Transactions
Traded Jul 30, 2026 · disclosed Aug 14, 2026
$1,001.00–$15,000.00
Traded Jul 10, 2026 · disclosed Jul 17, 2026
$1,001.00–$15,000.00
Filed 30–45+ days after the trade. Treat as positional context, not a leading indicator. Amounts are SEC-mandated dollar ranges, not exact values.