Costco Wholesale Corporation stock research
FY2026 Q3
Costco Wholesale (COST) Gross Margin — Quarter Ended May 10, 2026
Revenue increased and cost of revenue rose in tandem, resulting in a higher gross profit but gross margin remained stable compared to the prior quarter. Relative to the same quarter last year, revenue and gross profit were higher, while gross margin weakened slightly.
Gross margin takeaway
Quarter ended May 10, 2026 · FY2026 Q3
Revenue increased and cost of revenue rose in tandem, resulting in a higher gross profit but gross margin remained stable compared to the prior quarter. Relative to the same quarter last year, revenue and gross profit were higher, while gross margin weakened slightly.
- Gross profit grew in line with revenue as the relationship between revenue and cost of revenue remained consistent, keeping gross margin unchanged quarter over quarter. The slight year-over-year decline in gross margin indicates that cost of revenue increased at a marginally faster rate than revenue.
- Compared with the preceding quarter, gross margin was stable. Compared with the same quarter one year earlier, gross margin was lower.
Gross margin snapshot
The selected quarter's reported revenue, gross profit, direct costs, and margin comparisons.
Gross margin
12.8%
Gross profit
$9.0B
Revenue
$70.5B
Cost of revenue
$61.5B
Quarter-over-quarter change
+0.0 pts
Year-over-year change
-0.2 pts
Quarterly gross margin trend
A four-quarter view of the revenue and direct-cost bridge behind gross margin.
| Period | Revenue | Gross profit | Cost of revenue | Gross margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2025 | $63.2B | $8.2B | $55.0B | 13.0% |
| Nov 23, 2025 | $67.3B | $8.8B | $58.5B | 13.1% |
| Feb 15, 2026 | $69.6B | $8.9B | $60.7B | 12.8% |
| May 10, 2026 | $70.5B | $9.0B | $61.5B | 12.8% |
Quarterly comparisons
Compare the selected margin with the preceding quarter and the same fiscal quarter one year earlier.
Previous-quarter change
Feb 15, 2026
+0.0 pts
Year-over-year change
May 11, 2025
-0.2 pts
What the margin says
Filing-constrained interpretation of margin direction, comparisons, and what to monitor next.
Gross profit grew in line with revenue as the relationship between revenue and cost of revenue remained consistent, keeping gross margin unchanged quarter over quarter. The slight year-over-year decline in gross margin indicates that cost of revenue increased at a marginally faster rate than revenue.
Compared with the preceding quarter, gross margin was stable. Compared with the same quarter one year earlier, gross margin was lower.
Monitor whether cost of revenue continues to grow at a pace similar to revenue, as any divergence could alter gross margin.
Peer context
Latest available gross margins for related public companies.
| Company | Gross margin |
|---|---|
| Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) | 12.8% |