December 23, 2024

A Costco wholesale store in Connecticut.

Lindsey Nicholson | Lindsey NicholsonpGetty Images

Costco On Thursday, the company’s quarterly earnings and sales forecast beat Wall Street expectations, in part due to higher membership fees.

Here’s how the warehouse club’s first-quarter performance compared with Wall Street expectations, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: $4.04, $3.79 expected
  • Revenue: $62.15 billion, $62.08 billion expected

In the three months ended November 24, Costco’s net profit rose to $1.8 billion (or $4.04 per share) from $1.59 billion (or $3.58 per share) in the same period last year. Revenue increased from US$57.8 billion in the same period last year.

As U.S. households feel the cumulative impact of rising food and home prices, Costco has benefited from its reputation for selling bulk goods at higher prices. The members-only club also raised its annual membership fee for the first time in about seven years. This is Costco’s first quarterly earnings report since the price increase took effect in September.

Costco’s membership fee revenue was $1.17 billion, above Wall Street expectations of $1.16 billion.

But on the company’s earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip said the increase in membership fees has yet to have much of an impact due to deferred accounting. He said this accounted for less than 1% of this quarter’s expense growth.

The company’s comparable sales increased 5.2% year-on-year. In the United States, comparable sales also increased 5.2%.

Gold and jewellery, gift cards, home furnishings, sporting goods, health and beauty supplies, luggage kiosks and hardware all rose by double digits.

E-commerce sales increased 13% year over year this quarter.

As of Thursday’s close, Costco shares have risen nearly 50% this year, outpacing the S&P 500’s 27% gain over the same period. Shares closed Thursday at $988.39.

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.

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