Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Gear Up for Costco (COST) Q4 Earnings: Wall Street Estimates for Key Metrics

Read MoreHide Full Article

Wall Street analysts expect Costco (COST - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $6.48 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 10.4%. Revenues are expected to be $94.82 billion, up 10.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone an upward revision of 0.2% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.

With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some Costco metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.

The consensus estimate for 'Changes in comparable sales excluding the impact of changes in foreign-currency and gasoline prices - Total Company (Adjusted)' stands at 6.5%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 6.4%.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Comparable sales - Total Company' will likely reach 8.1%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 5.7%.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Number of warehouses - Total worldwide' should come in at 940 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 914 in the same quarter last year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Changes in comparable sales excluding the impact of changes in foreign-currency and gasoline prices - U.S. (Adjusted)' will reach 6.9%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 6.0%.

Analysts predict that the 'Number of warehouses - United States and Puerto Rico' will reach 647 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 629 .

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Changes in comparable sales excluding the impact of changes in foreign-currency and gasoline prices - Canada (Adjusted)' should arrive at 4.8%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 8.3%.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Comparable sales - U.S.' at 6.8%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 5.1% in the same quarter last year.

Analysts forecast 'Changes in comparable sales excluding the impact of changes in foreign-currency and gasoline prices - Other International (Adjusted)' to reach 6.0%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 7.2%.

Analysts expect 'Comparable sales - Canada' to come in at 4.9%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 6.3% in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Number of warehouses - Canada' reaching 116 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 110 .

It is projected by analysts that the 'Comparable sales - Other International' will reach 5.5%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 8.6%.

View all Key Company Metrics for Costco here>>>

Over the past month, Costco shares have recorded returns of -5.5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.3% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), COST will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Published in