Summary
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) filed its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 10, 2009. The filing indicates a decrease in net sales for the quarter, primarily due to a 7% decrease in comparable sales and negative impacts from foreign currency exchange rates and gasoline price deflation. Despite the sales decline, the company saw an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales, driven by improvements in core merchandise and ancillary businesses, though this was partially offset by increased selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales. Net income for the quarter fell to $210 million ($0.48 per diluted share) compared to $295 million ($0.67 per diluted share) in the prior year's quarter. This decline was influenced by the lower sales, a $27 million charge related to a membership renewal policy litigation settlement, and foreign currency headwinds. The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share, an increase from the previous quarter's $0.16, reflecting continued confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder returns.
Financial Highlights
26 data points| Revenue | $15.81B |
| Cost of Revenue | $13.78B |
| Gross Profit | $2.03B |
| SG&A Expenses | $1.66B |
| Operating Income | $359.00M |
| Interest Expense | $25.00M |
| Net Income | $210.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.48 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.48 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 434.35M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 440.00M |
Key Highlights
- 1Net sales decreased by 4.8% to $15.5 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the prior year, primarily driven by a 7% decrease in comparable sales.
- 2Net income declined by 28.4% to $210 million ($0.48 per diluted share) in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, down from $295 million ($0.67 per diluted share) in the same period last year.
- 3Gross margin as a percentage of net sales improved by 45 basis points to 10.99% in the third quarter, benefiting from lower gasoline sales penetration and favorable LIFO adjustments.
- 4Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased as a percentage of net sales by 96 basis points to 10.69%, attributed to higher operating and employee benefit costs.
- 5Membership fees saw a decrease of 6.4% to $329 million in the quarter, impacted by a $27 million charge for a litigation settlement regarding membership renewal policies.
- 6The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share, representing a 12.5% increase on an annualized basis.
- 7Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $3.67 billion at the end of the period, providing a solid liquidity position.