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ISSAQUAH, Wash. - Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), a prominent player in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry with annual revenue of $264.09 billion, announced a 7.0 percent increase in net sales for the retail month of April, reaching $21.18 billion compared to $19.80 billion in the same period last year. According to InvestingPro analysis, Costco’s strong financial position is evidenced by its healthy balance sheet, maintaining more cash than debt. For the 35-week period ending May 4, 2025, the company reported net sales of $180.05 billion, marking an 8.2 percent rise from $166.44 billion in the prior year. This growth aligns with the company’s consistent performance, though InvestingPro data suggests the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value. Investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis and 13 additional ProTips through the Pro Research Report, available for over 1,400 top US stocks.
The company’s comparable sales for the same periods showed varied growth across different regions. In the United States, comparable sales increased by 5.2 percent for the four-week period and 6.8 percent over 35 weeks. Canada saw a 1.5 percent rise in the four-week span and a 4.5 percent increase over 35 weeks. Other international locations experienced a 3.2 percent growth in the four-week period and a 3.0 percent increase across the 35-week timeframe. Total company comparable sales were up 4.4 percent for the month and 5.9 percent for the 35-week period, contributing to the company’s overall revenue growth of 6.13% over the last twelve months.
E-commerce continued to demonstrate robust growth with a 12.6 percent increase in the four-week period and a 16.3 percent rise over 35 weeks. When excluding the impacts of gasoline price fluctuations and foreign exchange, the e-commerce comparable sales grew by 13.0 percent for the month and 17.1 percent for the 35-week period.
The report also noted that April had one less shopping day compared to the previous year due to the Easter calendar shift, which negatively impacted total and comparable sales by approximately 1.5 to 2 percent.
Costco currently operates 905 warehouses worldwide, including 624 in the United States and Puerto Rico, alongside a presence in other countries such as Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The company also runs e-commerce sites in multiple regions, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
The information in this report is based on a press release statement. Costco has cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in the document are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
In other recent news, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported an impressive 8.6% increase in net sales for March 2025, reaching $25.51 billion compared to the same period last year. For the first 31 weeks of the fiscal year, the company achieved net sales of $158.87 billion, marking an 8.3% rise from the previous year. Costco’s comparable sales also saw notable growth, with the U.S. experiencing a 7.5% increase and e-commerce sales jumping by 16.2% for the five weeks ending April 6, 2025. Adjusted for gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates, the company’s total comparable sales rose by 9.1%. Additionally, the retailer announced an increase in its quarterly cash dividend from $1.16 to $1.30 per share, reflecting confidence in its financial stability. Analysts have responded positively to these developments, with Telsey Advisory Group maintaining an Outperform rating and a price target of $1,100, while DA Davidson reiterated a Neutral rating with a $1,000 price target. The analysts highlighted Costco’s effective market share gains and strong execution despite economic pressures. These recent developments underscore Costco’s robust performance in a challenging retail environment.
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