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Costco's June net sales rose 10.6% to $29.24 billion, supported by value and digital strength.
Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST - Free Report) June sales data showed that consumer demand remains resilient, even as comparable sales growth moderated. The company continued to benefit from its value-driven pricing, quality merchandise, strong digital momentum and broad warehouse footprint, which are helping attract shoppers in a cautious consumer environment.
Sneak Peek Into Costco’s Comparable Sales Performance
For the five weeks ended July 5, 2026, Costco reported an 8.8% year-over-year increase in total comparable sales. Regionally, comparable sales rose 10.6% in the United States, 3.7% in Canada and 4.7% in Other International markets. While this marked a slowdown from total comparable sales growth of 12.5% in May and 11.6% in April, the June performance still reflected healthy underlying demand.
Excluding the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange, U.S. comparable sales increased 7.6%, while Canada and Other International markets posted gains of 4.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Overall, total comparable sales, excluding these factors, rose 7% in June, following increases of 8% in May and 7.8% in April.
Digitally enabled comparable sales remained a standout, rising 20.9% in June, or 21.5% after adjusting for fuel and currency impacts. This followed gains of 21.1% in May and 18.8% in April, underscoring sustained momentum in Costco’s online channel.
Costco’s net sales for June increased 10.6% to $29.24 billion from $26.44 billion in the year-ago period. Although growth moderated from May’s 14.5% increase and April’s 13% gain, the retailer’s June performance suggests that its value proposition and digital strength continue to support solid sales momentum.
How Costco Compares With Walmart and Target
Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) continues to post resilient comparable sales growth despite a cautious consumer backdrop. Walmart reported 4.1% U.S. comparable sales growth (excluding fuel) in first-quarter fiscal 2027, supported by a 3% increase in transactions and 26% global e-commerce growth. Walmart also benefited from a stronger marketplace, advertising and Walmart+ membership performance, reinforcing traffic, customer engagement and market-share gains while sustaining healthy comparable sales momentum.
Meanwhile, Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) is also demonstrating solid comparable sales momentum through strong traffic and digital growth. Target delivered 5.6% comparable sales growth in first-quarter 2026, driven by a 4.4% increase in traffic and 8.9% digital comparable sales growth, with strength across all six merchandise categories. Target continues to enhance comparable sales through merchandising innovation, Target Circle 360, same-day delivery and an improved omnichannel experience, positioning Target for sustained long-term growth.
What the Latest Metrics Say About Costco
Costco has seen its shares tumble 4.5% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 43.02, higher than the industry’s ratio of 30.43. However, it is trading below its 12-month median level of 46.34, indicating some moderation in valuation despite sustained investor confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 9.5% and 13.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.9% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings.
The consensus estimate for earnings per share for the current and next fiscal year has increased by 6 cents and 7 cents to $20.38 and $22.46, respectively, over the past 60 days.
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Image: Bigstock
Costco's Comparable Sales Stay Strong Despite Slower June Growth
Key Takeaways
Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST - Free Report) June sales data showed that consumer demand remains resilient, even as comparable sales growth moderated. The company continued to benefit from its value-driven pricing, quality merchandise, strong digital momentum and broad warehouse footprint, which are helping attract shoppers in a cautious consumer environment.
Sneak Peek Into Costco’s Comparable Sales Performance
For the five weeks ended July 5, 2026, Costco reported an 8.8% year-over-year increase in total comparable sales. Regionally, comparable sales rose 10.6% in the United States, 3.7% in Canada and 4.7% in Other International markets. While this marked a slowdown from total comparable sales growth of 12.5% in May and 11.6% in April, the June performance still reflected healthy underlying demand.
Excluding the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange, U.S. comparable sales increased 7.6%, while Canada and Other International markets posted gains of 4.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Overall, total comparable sales, excluding these factors, rose 7% in June, following increases of 8% in May and 7.8% in April.
Digitally enabled comparable sales remained a standout, rising 20.9% in June, or 21.5% after adjusting for fuel and currency impacts. This followed gains of 21.1% in May and 18.8% in April, underscoring sustained momentum in Costco’s online channel.
Costco’s net sales for June increased 10.6% to $29.24 billion from $26.44 billion in the year-ago period. Although growth moderated from May’s 14.5% increase and April’s 13% gain, the retailer’s June performance suggests that its value proposition and digital strength continue to support solid sales momentum.
How Costco Compares With Walmart and Target
Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) continues to post resilient comparable sales growth despite a cautious consumer backdrop. Walmart reported 4.1% U.S. comparable sales growth (excluding fuel) in first-quarter fiscal 2027, supported by a 3% increase in transactions and 26% global e-commerce growth. Walmart also benefited from a stronger marketplace, advertising and Walmart+ membership performance, reinforcing traffic, customer engagement and market-share gains while sustaining healthy comparable sales momentum.
Meanwhile, Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) is also demonstrating solid comparable sales momentum through strong traffic and digital growth. Target delivered 5.6% comparable sales growth in first-quarter 2026, driven by a 4.4% increase in traffic and 8.9% digital comparable sales growth, with strength across all six merchandise categories. Target continues to enhance comparable sales through merchandising innovation, Target Circle 360, same-day delivery and an improved omnichannel experience, positioning Target for sustained long-term growth.
What the Latest Metrics Say About Costco
Costco has seen its shares tumble 4.5% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 43.02, higher than the industry’s ratio of 30.43. However, it is trading below its 12-month median level of 46.34, indicating some moderation in valuation despite sustained investor confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 9.5% and 13.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.9% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings.
The consensus estimate for earnings per share for the current and next fiscal year has increased by 6 cents and 7 cents to $20.38 and $22.46, respectively, over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.