COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW

(amounts in millions, except share, per share, and warehouse count data)

(unaudited)

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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 products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. At May 10, 2026, Costco operated 928 warehouses worldwide:637 in the United States (U.S.) located in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico,115 in Canada,42 in Mexico,37 in Japan,29 in the United Kingdom (U.K.),20 in Korea,15 in Australia,14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden andone each in Iceland and New Zealand. The Company operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company transactions among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While these statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of the interim period, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for complete financial statements. Therefore, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025.

Fiscal Year End

The Company operates on a 52/53 week fiscal year basis, with the fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to August 31. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year ending on August 30, 2026. References to the third quarter of 2026 and 2025 relate to the 12-week fiscal quarters ended May 10, 2026, and May 11, 2025. References to the first thirty-six weeks of 2026 and 2025 relate to the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026, and May 11, 2025.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect: the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions take into account historical and forward-looking factors that the Company believes are reasonable. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted By The Company

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-09, which requires public business entities on an annual basis to disclose specific categories in the income-tax rate reconciliation, provide information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, and disclose certain information about income taxes paid. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires disaggregated disclosures of certain costs and expenses on the income statement on an annual and interim basis. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted.

These standards should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company is evaluating these standards.

Note 2—Investments

The Company's investments were as follows:

Gross unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material for the periods ended May 10, 2026, or August 31, 2025. At those dates, there were no available-for-sale securities in a material continuous unrealized-loss position. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities during the first thirty-six weeks of 2026 or 2025.

The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at May 10, 2026, are as follows:

Note 3—Fair Value Measurement

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the level within the hierarchy reflecting the valuation techniques utilized.

(1)The asset and liability values are included in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On May 10, 2026, and August 31, 2025, the Company did not hold any Level 1 or 3 financial assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between levels during the first thirty-six weeks of 2026 or 2025.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets and liabilities recognized and disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as financial assets measured at amortized cost and long-lived nonfinancial assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired. There were no fair value adjustments to these items during the first thirty-six weeks of 2026 or 2025.

Note 4—Debt

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

(1)Net of unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs and included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value of the Senior Notes is estimated using Level 2 inputs. Other long-term debt consists of Guaranteed Senior Notes issued by the Company's Japan subsidiary, valued using Level 3 inputs. In March 2026, the Company's Japan subsidiary repaid $69 of its Guaranteed Senior Notes. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $5,259 and $5,370 at May 10, 2026, and August 31, 2025.

Note 5—Equity

Dividends

A quarterly cash dividend of $1.47 per share was declared on April 15, 2026, and paid on May 15, 2026. The dividend was $1.30 per share in the third quarter of 2025.

Stock Repurchase Programs

The Company's stock repurchase program is conducted under a $4,000 authorization by the Board of Directors, which expires in January 2027. At May 10, 2026, the remaining amount available under the program was $1,359. The following table summarizes the repurchase activity:

These amounts may differ from the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of each quarter. Purchases are made from time to time, as conditions warrant, potentially including the open market, block purchases and pursuant to plans under SEC Rule 10b5-1.

Note 6—Stock-Based Compensation

The 2019 Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 15,885,000 RSUs. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon vesting and settlement of RSUs. Shares for vested RSUs are generally delivered to participants annually, net of shares withheld for taxes.

Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity

At May 10, 2026,5,252,000 shares were available to be granted as RSUs, and the following awards were outstanding:

•1,908,000 time-based RSUs, which vest upon continued employment over specified periods. Some of these RSUs accelerate upon achievement of a long-service term;

•60,000 performance-based RSUs granted to executive officers, for which the performance targets have been met. The awards vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time and upon achievement of a long-service term; and

•67,000 performance-based RSUs granted to executive officers, subject to achievement of performance targets for 2026, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors after the end of the fiscal year. These awards are included in the table below and in the amount of unrecognized compensation cost. The Company recognized compensation expense for these awards in the third quarter of 2026, as it is currently deemed probable that the targets will be achieved.

The following table summarizes RSU transactions during the first thirty-six weeks of 2026:

The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs unvested at May 10, 2026, was $1,092, and the weighted-average period over which this cost will be recognized is 1.6 years.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits:

Note 7—Net Income per Common and Common Equivalent Share

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 000s):

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the dilutive effect of RSUs using the treasury stock method.

Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies

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 contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. There may be actual losses in excess of amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss (considering where applicable indemnification arrangements concerning suppliers and insurers) and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. The Company has recorded an immaterial accrual with respect to some matters described below, in addition to other immaterial accruals for matters not described below. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but monitors for developments that make the contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. In each case, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, including a loss in excess of the applicable accrual. For matters where no accrual has been recorded, the possible loss or range of loss (including any loss in excess of the accrual) cannot, in the Company's view, be reasonably estimated because, among other things: the remedies or penalties sought are indeterminate or unspecified; the legal and/or factual theories are not well developed; and/or the matters involve complex or novel legal theories or a large number of parties.

In November 2023, a former employee filed a class action against the Company alleging claims under California law for failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, failure to provide accurate wage statements, failure to reimburse expenses, failure to pay wages when due, and failure to pay sick pay. Martin Reyes v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Sacramento County Superior Court (No. 23cv011351), removed to federal court, No. 2:24-cv-00300 (E.D. Cal.). A second amended complaint was filed, which the Company has moved to dismiss. In January 2024, the same plaintiff filed a related Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) representative action, seeking civil penalties and asserting the same alleged underlying Labor Code violations and an additional suitable seating claim. In May 2024, the plaintiff filed an amended PAGA complaint; the Company has denied the material allegations of the complaint and filed a motion to stay the action. The motion was granted on December 18, 2024.

In August 2024, an employee filed an action under PAGA against the Company, alleging claims for penalties for various alleged violations of the California Labor Code. Nader v. Costco (No. CV-24-006198; Stanislaus County Superior Court). An amended complaint was filed in November 2024. In February 2025 the court granted the Company’s motion to strike portions of the complaint. The plaintiff filed a further amended complaint; the Company's motion to strike a portion of this complaint was granted on May 13, 2025. The Company's motion to stay the action was granted on November 13, 2025.

In January 2026, a class action on behalf of Washington employees was filed against the Company alleging failure to provide meal periods and rest breaks and to compensate for violations, wage theft, and failure to furnish accurate wage statements. The complaint seeks compensatory and exemplary damages, interest, and attorneys' fees. Madera v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (No. 26-2-02879-6, King County Superior Court). A second class action was filed in March 2026 alleging failure to provide meal periods and to compensate for violations, seeking similar relief. Howell v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (No. 26-2-09459-5; King County Superior Court). The Company has denied the material allegations of the complaints.

Beginning in December 2017, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases concerning the impacts of opioid abuses filed against various defendants by counties, cities, hospitals, Native American tribes, third-party payors, and others. In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804) (N.D. Ohio). Cases filed against the Company by counties and cities in Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia and South Carolina, a hospital in Texas, and class actions and individual actions filed on behalf of individuals seeking to recover alleged increased insurance costs associated with opioid abuse in 43 states and American Samoa have been resolved or dismissed. A claim by a third-party payor in Ohio and actions filed on behalf of infants born with opioid-related medical conditions in 40 states remain in the MDL. A claim against the Company filed in federal court outside the MDL by one county in Georgia is pending, and claims filed by certain cities and counties in New York are pending in state court, as are claims by certain county district attorneys in Pennsylvania. Claims against the Company in state courts in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Utah, and Arizona have been dismissed. Claims against the Company in federal court in Georgia and Florida have been dismissed. The Company is defending all of the pending matters remaining.

Between September 25 and October 31, 2023, five class action suits were filed against the Company alleging privacy law violations stemming from pixel trackers on Costco.com: Birdwell v. Costco Wholesale

Corp., No. C23-02416, Contra Costa County Superior Court; and Scott v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 2:23-cv-08808 (C.D. Cal.), now consolidated with R.S. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 2:23-cv-01628 (W.D. Wash.); Groves, et ano., v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 2:23-cv-01662 (W.D. Wash.), and Castillo v. Costco Wholesale Corp., under No. 2:34-cv-01548 (W.D. Wash.). The Castillo plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on January 26, 2024, which seeks damages, equitable relief and attorneys’ fees under various statutes, including the Washington Consumer Protection Act, Washington Privacy Act, Washington Uniform Health Care Information Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, California Invasion of Privacy Act, and California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. The consolidated complaint also alleges breach of implied contract, invasion of privacy, conversion, and unjust enrichment. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the Castillo complaint on March 11, 2024. In November 2024 the court denied the motion to dismiss in substantial part. On May 16, 2024, the parties stipulated to stay Birdwell pending resolution of Castillo. On January 2, and August 22, 2024, the Company received related civil investigative demands from the Washington Attorney General's Office. On January 3, 2024, the Company received a related pre-litigation letter from the Los Angeles Office of the County Counsel. The Company is in the process of responding to both agencies. The Birdwell case was dismissed with prejudice in March 2026.

In October and November 2025, two class actions were filed against the Company alleging violations of consumer protection and other laws arising from the Company’s sale of Kirkland Signature tequila products in the United States: Glazer v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 1:25-cv-25057 (S.D. Fla.); and Salisbury, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 2:25-cv-02277 (W.D. Wash.). Plaintiffs allege that the Company’s Kirkland Signature tequilas are labeled “100% de Agave” but contain alcohol derived from non-agave sugars. They seek damages, statutory penalties, punitive and treble damages, and disgorgement. The Glazer action was subsequently dismissed without prejudice. An amended complaint was filed in the Salisbury case on March 9, 2026, adding Glazer as an additional named plaintiff. The Company filed a motion to dismiss Salisbury in April 2026.

In March 2026, four class actions were filed against the Company seeking a refund of tariffs paid by the Company under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) that were passed on to members through higher prices. The complaints allege violations of state consumer protection laws and equitable doctrines: Stockov, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 26-cv-02734 (N.D. Illinois); Gower, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 26-2-08898-5SEA (King County Superior Court); Ortiz, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 3:26-cv-01164-CVR (D.P.R.); and Briggs, et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Case No. 2:26-cv-01064 (W.D. Wash.). The Company has filed motions to dismiss in Stockovand Gower.

The Company does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows; it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual fiscal quarter or year.

Note 9—Segment Reporting

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, Sweden, Iceland and New Zealand. Reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which considers geographic locations. The material accounting policies of the segments are as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025, and Note 1 above. Inter-segment net sales and expenses, including royalties, have been eliminated in computing total revenue and operating income.

The chief operating decision maker (CODM) is the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The CODM uses the metrics outlined in the table below, along with internal management reports, to evaluate performance, monitor actual results versus budget and prior year results, and make strategic and operational resource allocation decisions.

The following table provides the revenue, significant expenses, and operating income for the Company's reportable segments:

(1)Other income consists of interest expense and interest income and other, net.

The following table provides depreciation and amortization and additions to property and equipment for the Company's reportable segments:

The following table provides property and equipment, net and total assets for the Company's reportable segments:

Disaggregated Revenue

The following table summarizes net sales by merchandise category; sales from e-commerce sites and business centers have been allocated to the applicable merchandise categories: