The summary below was generated by an AI language model and may contain errors or omissions. All other content on this page is deterministically extracted from the original SEC EDGAR filing.
Costco removed 30 items from its risk factors section, mostly boilerplate financial statements and standard SEC disclosures that don't represent actual risk changes. The real story is in the 23 modified risks, where the company updated its digital strategy language and added specific details about new state regulations requiring them to pay extended producer responsibility fees - suggesting they're now treating environmental compliance costs as a concrete business expense rather than a vague concern. These tweaks signal that Costco sees its biggest near-term challenges as keeping pace with e-commerce expectations and absorbing new regulatory costs rather than major operational or market disruptions.
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.36 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.36 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 36 Table of…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
52 Weeks Ended53 Weeks Ended52 Weeks Ended September 1,2024September 3,2023August 28,2022NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS$7,367 $6,292 $5,915 Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net(23)24 (721)Comprehensive income7,344 6,316 5,194 Less: Comprehensive…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
September 1,2024September 3,2023ASSETSCURRENT ASSETSCash and cash equivalents$9,906 $13,700 Short-term investments1,238 1,534 Receivables, net2,721 2,285 Merchandise inventories18,647 16,651 Other current assets1,734 1,709 Total current assets34,246 35,879 OTHER ASSETSProperty…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Common StockAdditionalPaid-inCapitalAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome (Loss)RetainedEarningsTotal CostcoStockholders’EquityNoncontrollingInterestsTotalEquity Shares (000’s)AmountBALANCE AT AUGUST 29, 2021441,825 $4 $7,031 $(1,137)$11,666 $17,564 $514 $18,078 Net income— — — —…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
52 Weeks Ended53 Weeks Ended52 Weeks EndedSeptember 1,2024September 3,2023August 28,2022CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIESNet income including noncontrolling interests$7,367 $6,292 $5,915 Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Interest The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.40 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.40 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 40…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Description of Business Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco or the Company), a Washington corporation, and its subsidiaries operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members low prices on a limited selection of nationally-branded and private-label…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The Company’s investments were as follows: 2024:CostBasisUnrealizedLosses, NetRecordedBasisAvailable-for-sale:Government and agency securities$689 $(1)$688 Held-to-maturity:Certificates of deposit550 — 550 Total short-term investments$1,239 $(1)$1,238…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The table below presents information regarding the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level within the hierarchy reflecting the…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Short-Term Borrowings The Company maintains various short-term bank credit facilities, with a borrowing capacity of $1,198 and $1,234, in 2024 and 2023. Short-term borrowings outstanding were immaterial at the end of 2024 and 2023. Long-Term Debt The Company's long-term debt…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The tables below present information regarding the Company's lease assets and liabilities. 20242023AssetsOperating lease right-of-use assets$2,617 $2,713 Finance lease assets(1)1,433 1,325 Total lease assets$4,050 $4,038 LiabilitiesCurrentOperating lease liabilities(2)$179 $220…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Total(2) 1,498 _______________ (1)Operating lease payments have not been reduced by expected future sublease income of $98. (2)Excludes $1,080 of lease payments for leases that have been signed but not commenced.
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Dividends 53 53 53 Table of Contents Table of Contents Cash dividends declared in 2024 totaled $8,589 or $19.36 per share, as compared to $1,703 or $3.84 per share in 2023. Dividends in 2024 included a special dividend of $15 per share, resulting in a payment of approximately…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The 2019 Incentive Plan authorized the issuance of 17,500,000 shares (10,000,000 RSUs) of common stock for future grants, plus the remaining shares that were available for grant and the future forfeited shares from grants under the previous plan, up to a maximum aggregate of…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Income Taxes Income before income taxes is comprised of the following: 202420232022Domestic$7,255 $6,264 $5,759 Foreign2,485 2,223 2,081 Total$9,740 $8,487 $7,840 55 55 55 Table of Contents Table of Contents The provisions for income taxes are as follows:…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the weighted average number of shares of basic and of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000’s): 202420232022Net income attributable to Costco$7,367 $6,292 $5,844 Weighted…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Legal Proceedings The Company is involved in many claims, proceedings and litigations arising from its business and property ownership. In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters present loss…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The Company is principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses through wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, the U.K., Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Reportable segments are largely based on…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded,…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
During the fiscal quarter ended September 1, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Information relating to the availability of our code of ethics for senior financial officers and a list of our executive officers appear in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. The information required by this Item concerning our directors and nominees for director is incorporated…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Compensation of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Principal Shareholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Directors,” “Committees of the Board,” “Shareholder Communications to the Board,” “Meeting Attendance,” “Report of the Compensation Committee…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is KPMG LLP, Seattle, WA, Auditor Firm ID: 185. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Independent Public Accountants” in Costco’s Proxy Statement. 64 64 64 Table of…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
(a)Documents filed as part of this report are as follows: 1.Financial Statements: See the listing of Financial Statements included as a part of this Form 10-K in Item 8 of Part II. 2.Financial Statement Schedules: All schedules have been omitted because the required information…
This risk factor appeared in the 2024 filing and was removed in 2025.
None. 68 68 68 Table of Contents Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. October…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $5,311 in 2025, compared to $4,409 in 2024, and is primarily related to capital expenditures. Net cash from investing activities also includes purchases and maturities of short-term investments. Capital Expenditure Plans Our primary…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
The following table summarizes our significant sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents: 202520242023Net cash provided by operating activities$13,335 $11,339 $11,068 Net cash used in investing activities(5,311)(4,409)(4,972)Net cash used in financing…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
_______________ (1)141 of the 189 leases are land-only leases, where Costco owns the building. At the end of 2025, our warehouses contained approximately 134.7 million square feet of operating floor space: 93.6 million in the U.S.; 15.9 million in Canada; and 25.2 million in…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023Provision for income taxes$2,719 $2,373 $2,195 Effective tax rate25.1 %24.4 %25.9 % The effective tax rate for 2025 was favorably impacted by discrete tax benefits of $100 related to stock compensation. The effective tax rate for 2024 was favorably impacted by…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
We must keep pace with changing member expectations and new developments by our competitors. Our members are increasingly using mobile phones, tablets, computers, and other devices to shop and otherwise interact with us. We are making investments in our websites and mobile…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COST.” On September 30, 2025, we had 10,813 stockholders of record. Payment of dividends is subject to declaration by the Board of Directors. Factors considered in determining dividends include our…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.37 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.37 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 37 The…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023Net sales$269,912$249,625$237,710Less merchandise costs239,886222,358212,586Gross margin$30,026$27,267$25,124Gross margin percentage11.12 %10.92 %10.57 % Gross margin percentage increased 20 basis points. Excluding the impact of gasoline price deflation on net sales,…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection and remittance obligations related to federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. Additionally, at any point in time, we may be under examination for value added, sales-based, payroll, product, import or other non-income…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023Interest income$469 $533 $470 Foreign-currency transaction gains, net84 26 29 Other, net36 65 34 Interest income and other, net$589 $624 $533 The decrease in interest income in 2025 was due to lower interest rates, partially offset by higher cash balances.…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $3,775 in 2025, compared to $10,764 in 2024. Cash flow used in financing activities primarily related to the payment of dividends, repayments of long-term debt and short-term borrowings, repurchases of common stock, and withholding…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
PageReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm34Consolidated Statements of Income37Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income38Consolidated Balance Sheets39Consolidated Statements of Equity40Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows41Notes to Consolidated…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return assuming reinvestment of dividends on an investment of $100 in Costco common stock, S&P 500 Index, and the S&P Retail Select Index over the five years from August 30, 2020, through August 31, 2025. The S&P…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
Net Sales 202520242023Net Sales$269,912$249,625$237,710Changes in net sales:U.S.9 %4 %7 %Canada6 %6 %4 %Other International8 %9 %9 %Total Company8 %5 %7 %Changes in comparable sales(1):U.S.6 %4 %3 %Canada5 %7 %2 %Other International5 %8 %3 %Total Company6 %5 %3 %E-commerce16 %16…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Costco Wholesale Corporation: Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Costco Wholesale Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of August 31, 2025 and…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023SG&A expenses$24,966$22,810$21,590SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales9.25 %9.14 %9.08 % SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 11 basis points. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales excluding the impact of gasoline price deflation was 9.17%,…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
We are committed to doing what is right for the business, our members, employees and shareholders over the long-term. Costco has set public targets and disclosed intentions for future action regarding sustainability. There are dependencies outside of our control impacting our…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
The following table sets forth information on our common stock repurchase activity for the fourth quarter of 2025 (dollars in millions, except per share data): PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023Interest expense$154 $169 $160 27 27 27 27 27 27 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Interest expense is primarily related to Senior Notes and financing leases. The decrease was primarily due to repayment of the 2.750% Senior Notes in May 2024. For…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
52 Weeks Ended52 Weeks Ended53 Weeks EndedAugust 31,2025September 1,2024September 3,2023REVENUENet sales$269,912 $249,625 $237,710 Membership fees5,323 4,828 4,580 Total revenue275,235 254,453 242,290 OPERATING EXPENSESMerchandise costs239,886 222,358 212,586 Selling, general…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
We are subject to a wide and growing array of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations relating to (among other things), product and food safety, marketing, information security and privacy, labor and employment, imports and customs, transportation,…
Key changes:
Current (2025):
At August 31, 2025, we operated 914 membership warehouses: Own Landand BuildingLease Landand/orBuilding(1)TotalUnited States and Puerto Rico512 117 629 Canada94 16 110 Other International119 56 175 Total725 189 914 Lease Land and/or
Key changes:
Current (2025):
202520242023Membership fees$5,323$4,828$4,580 Membership fee revenue increased 10% in 2025, driven by new member sign-ups and membership fee increases. At the end of 2025, our member renewal rates were 92.3% in the U.S. and Canada and 89.8% worldwide. Renewal rates were…