ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. delivered another strong quarter, driven by resilient consumer demand and double-digit growth in e-commerce, pushing both sales and profits above last year’s levels.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, ended November 23, net sales rose 8.2% to $65.98 billion, up from $60.99 billion a year earlier. Net income advanced to $2.0 billion, or $4.50 per diluted share, compared with $1.8 billion, or $4.04 per share, last year. Results included a $72 million tax benefit related to stock-based compensation, versus $100 million in the prior year.
Comparable sales climbed 6.4%, topping analysts’ expectations of 5.8%. U.S. same-store sales rose 5.9%, while Canada gained 6.5% and international markets jumped 8.8%. Excluding the impact of fuel and foreign exchange, companywide comps were up 6.4%. Online sales surged 20.5%, underscoring the warehouse club’s continued strength in digital retailing.
Costco also reported a sharp increase in membership fee income, which rose 13.7% to $1.33 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s $1.29 billion estimate. The gains reflect the retailer’s ability to maintain high renewal rates and attract new members amid a competitive retail environment.
Despite the strong results, Costco shares edged lower in after-hours trading, following a year of solid stock performance and high investor expectations.
As of quarter’s end, Costco operated 923 warehouses worldwide, including 633 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 114 in Canada, and 42 in Mexico. The retailer also runs e-commerce sites in eight countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Analysts noted that Costco continues to expand its global footprint while taking market share from competitors across multiple categories. With traffic growth steady and digital engagement rising, the company enters the holiday season well positioned to build on its momentum.
