Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) Announced Q3 2026 Earnings on May 28, 2026, Reporting Net sales for the third quarter were $69.15 billion

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net income for the third quarter of 2026 at $2.192 billion, or $4.93 per diluted share.Net sales for the third quarter were $69.15 billion, an increase of 11.6 percent from $61.96 billion in the third quarter of 2025.Comparable sales were up 9.8 percent.The company reported membership fee income of $1.373 billion. At the end of the third quarter, the company had 82.9 million total paid members and 41.2 million paid executive memberships.The reported gross margin rate was 11.04 percent and the reported SG&A rate was 8.96 percent.Management highlighted record-breaking volumes in their gas business.The company also stated they started submitting refund claims for the IEEPA tariffs and plan to return to members the portion of tariffs passed on to them. In digital and warehouse operations, the company noted significant improvement in the speed of checkout through enhancements that include improvements to the mobile wallet, the introduction of digital membership card quick access, and the rollout of a shopping cart pre-scan tool.They are also incorporating a successful Paystation pilot into new warehouse openings and high-volume buildings.Furthermore, the company noted that they are leveraging AI to enhance product pages online.For forward guidance, the company expects to have 26 net new openings in fiscal year 2026 and estimates capital expenditure for the full year will be approximately $6.5 billion.The company announced the launch of a new collaboration with Google Commerce Media and YouTube to broaden its reach in retail media.Product updates included the launch of new Kirkland Signature items such as an energy drink, ultrafiltered milk, sea salt popcorn, and oven roasted chicken dog food.The pharmacy business saw market share gains contributed by increased GLP-1 demand and the inclusion of Wegovy and Ozempic in their member prescription program.