Compiled 2026-09-26Data through 2025-08-312 min read
Dated source-based research · No live market data

Research summary

A two-period review of COST revenue, profitability and cash conversion; reported revenue growth was 8.17%.

Period comparison

FY2025 ended 2025-08-31; the prior observation ended 2024-09-01. Revenue moved from USD 254.453 billion to USD 275.235 billion. These are annual periods, not quarterly earnings or trailing-twelve-month estimates.

Earnings bridge

Net income moved from USD 7.367 billion to USD 8.099 billion. Operating income moved from USD 9.285 billion to USD 10.383 billion. Net margin moved from 2.90% to 2.94%. A margin change identifies an outcome; its causes require management discussion and footnotes.

Cash-flow cross-check

Operating cash flow was USD 11.339 billion in the earlier period and USD 13.335 billion in the later period. Selected free cash flow was USD 6.629 billion and USD 7.837 billion, respectively. Working-capital timing can cause earnings and cash to diverge.

Interpretation and limits

A rise in reported revenue does not by itself identify organic growth. A difference in EPS can reflect share-count changes as well as operating performance. No causal claim is made from these aggregate figures.

Valuation context

An earnings comparison provides a historical denominator, not a price target. A dated market price is deliberately absent from this static release.

What to monitor

Unit volumes, comparable sales, inventory, pricing and operating leverage.

Risks and uncertainties

Consumer affordability, input inflation, competitive promotions and discretionary demand.

Sources & dates