Costco Wholesale Corporation Profit Margin
Data as of June 01, 2026
Profit Margin (TTM)
3.0%
Revenue (TTM)
$293.59B
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Ticker
COST
How It's Calculated
What This Means
Costco Wholesale Corporation's profit margin of 3.0% is modest — investors should weigh margin trends and reinvestment needs.
About Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in Discount Stores. With a market capitalization of about $424.27B, it ranks as a mega-cap stock — one of the largest publicly traded companies.
Shares recently traded near $956.32, within a 52-week range of $844.06 to $1096.50 (-12.8% from the high, +13.3% from the low). Beta of 0.91 is broadly in line with typical market sensitivity.
Trailing profit margin is about 3.0%, signaling modest profitability that investors should weigh against growth plans.
Understanding This Metric
Profit margin connects income-statement quality to valuation. For Costco Wholesale Corporation, trailing margin summarizes how much revenue converts to net profit after costs. In Consumer Defensive, margins differ by business model — software and services often run higher margins than capital-intensive industries. Track margin trends across quarters; a stable or improving margin can support earnings durability, while sharp declines may warrant deeper review of guidance and competition.
Using This Number in Practice
At about 3.0% trailing profit margin, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) leaves a thinner cushion after operating costs — weigh alongside revenue growth and leverage. For large revenue bases, even a one-point margin move can shift earnings materially, so trend matters as much as the spot reading.
When comparing COST to alternatives, combine margin with return on equity, revenue growth, and valuation. Use our margin calculator for scenario work, and browse the COST metrics hub plus sector peers in the comparison section above.
Sector Comparison
Among Consumer Defensive names on our S&P 100 coverage, Costco Wholesale Corporation's profit margin of 3.0% can be compared with peers such as WMT (3.1%), KO (27.8%), PG (19.2%). Sector context helps interpretation, but each company's growth profile and balance sheet differ — use multiple metrics before drawing conclusions. View all Consumer Defensive stocks.
Key Takeaways
- COST is grouped in the Consumer Defensive sector for peer comparisons.
- Recent beta of 0.91 suggests market-like price sensitivity.
- Trailing profit margin of 3.0% provides context for how much earnings support the headline multiple.
Related Tools & Guides
Explore calculators and guides connected to this metric, or view all metrics for COST.
Other COST Metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COST's profit margin?
Trailing profit margin measures net income as a percent of revenue. Costco Wholesale Corporation's margin is about 3.0% on this snapshot — higher margins often support stronger valuation multiples in Consumer Defensive.
Is 3.0% strong for Consumer Defensive?
Peers in Consumer Defensive such as MO (39.5%), KO (27.8%), PM (26.7%) help benchmark COST's 3.0%. Margins vary by sub-industry and accounting cycle.
How often is profit margin updated?
Margins update after quarterly earnings; price-only fields refresh on trading days. Data as of June 01, 2026.
Calculate the profit margin for any stock with our free calculator.
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