COST · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report
Liquidity and Cash Position
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW · 2026-06-03 · Importance 76 · Surprise 56 · Contradicted
At May 10, 2026 Costco held cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $19,996 million, up from $15,284 million at August 31, 2025; unsettled credit and debit card receivables comprised approximately $3,078 million of those balances. The company had borrowing capacity under bank credit facilities of $1,531 million (including $1,028 million maintained by Canadian and Other International operations, $338 million of which is guaranteed by the Company) and commercial/standby letter-of-credit facilities totaling $242 million with $205 million outstanding. Management states that its cash/investment positions, operating cash flow, and available credit capacity are sufficient to meet liquidity and capital requirements for the foreseeable future. Costco also noted material contractual obligations (purchase obligations, long-term debt, leases, construction and land purchases) with the majority due within 12 months.
Key facts
- Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $19,996 at May 10, 2026 and $15,284 at August 31, 2025. source
- Net cash used in investing activities for the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026 totaled $4,160, compared to $3,343 in the prior year period. source
- Unsettled credit and debit card receivables represented approximately $3,078 at May 10, 2026 and $2,670 at August 31, 2025. source
- At May 10, 2026 we had borrowing capacity under bank credit facilities of $1,531, of which $1,028 is maintained by Canadian and Other International operations and $338 of that is guaranteed by the Company. source
- Interest income increased in the third quarter and first thirty-six weeks of 2026 due to higher cash balances, partially offset by lower interest rates. source
- Net cash used in financing activities for the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026 totaled $2,175, compared to $2,182 in the prior year period. source
- We have letter of credit facilities totaling $242 and outstanding commitments under these facilities at the end of the third quarter of 2026 totaled $205. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | positive | realized | +5.5% | Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $19,996 at May 10, 2026 and $15,284 at August 31, 2025. |
| cash | negative | realized | -0.9% | Net cash used in investing activities for the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026 totaled $4,160, compared to $3,343 in the prior year period. |
| assets | positive | realized | +0.5% | Unsettled credit and debit card receivables represented approximately $3,078 at May 10, 2026 and $2,670 at August 31, 2025. |
| liability | negative | contingent | -0.1% | At May 10, 2026 we had borrowing capacity under bank credit facilities of $1,531, of which $1,028 is maintained by Canadian and Other… |
| net_income | positive | realized | — | Interest income increased in the third quarter and first thirty-six weeks of 2026 due to higher cash balances, partially offset by lower… |