COST · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Operating Expense Trends

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW · 2026-06-03 · Importance 25 · Surprise 32 · No source text

SG&A expenses were $6,193 in the third quarter of 2026 compared to $5,679 in the prior-year quarter, and SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 20 basis points to 8.96% in the quarter. Excluding the impact of gasoline price inflation, SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 9.14%, a decrease of two basis points; year-to-date SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased three basis points to 9.24%. The quarter's SG&A benefited from the absence of a one-time employee vacation expense (favorable ~5 basis points) and central operating cost savings (~1 basis point), but was negatively impacted by warehouse operations and other businesses (~3 basis points) and higher stock compensation (~1 basis point); foreign-currency translation increased SG&A by approximately $48 in the quarter and $113 year-to-date. SG&A as a percent of net sales declined in the U.S. segment but rose in Canadian and Other International segments.

Key facts

• SG&A expenses for the 12 weeks ended May 10, 2026 were $6,193 and SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 8.96%. source
• SG&A expenses for the 36 weeks ended May 10, 2026 were $18,799 and SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 9.24%. source
• SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased by 20 basis points in the third quarter of 2026; excluding gasoline price inflation SG&A was 9.14%, a decrease of two basis points. source

Impact estimates