Current Ratio
since 2005
Calculation
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, calculation
| Current ratio | = | Current assets1 | ÷ | Current liabilities1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 1.06 | = | 46,582) | ÷ | 43,952) |
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | = | 38,380) | ÷ | 37,108) |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | = | 34,246) | ÷ | 35,464) |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | = | 35,879) | ÷ | 33,583) |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | = | 32,696) | ÷ | 31,998) |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | = | 29,505) | ÷ | 29,441) |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | = | 28,120) | ÷ | 24,844) |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | = | 23,485) | ÷ | 23,237) |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | = | 20,289) | ÷ | 19,926) |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | = | 17,317) | ÷ | 17,495) |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | = | 15,218) | ÷ | 15,575) |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | = | 17,299) | ÷ | 16,540) |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | = | 17,588) | ÷ | 14,412) |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | = | 15,840) | ÷ | 13,257) |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | = | 13,526) | ÷ | 12,260) |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | = | 13,706) | ÷ | 12,050) |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | = | 11,708) | ÷ | 10,063) |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | = | 10,337) | ÷ | 9,281) |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | = | 9,462) | ÷ | 8,874) |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | = | 9,324) | ÷ | 8,582) |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | = | 8,232) | ÷ | 7,819) |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | = | 8,086) | ÷ | 6,609) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
1 US$ in millions
An analysis of the liquidity position from 2005 through 2026 reveals a consistent strategy of maintaining lean working capital. While both current assets and current liabilities have experienced substantial growth in absolute terms, the relationship between them has remained remarkably stable, reflecting a disciplined approach to short-term financial management.
- Asset and Liability Expansion
- Current assets grew from 8,086 million US dollars in 2005 to a projected 46,582 million US dollars by 2026. This expansion is mirrored by current liabilities, which increased from 6,609 million US dollars in the same starting period to a projected 43,952 million US dollars by 2026. The synchronized growth of these two components indicates a scaling of operations where short-term obligations increase in tandem with liquid resources.
- Current Ratio Trends and Volatility
- The current ratio has historically fluctuated within a narrow band, primarily between 0.97 and 1.22. A period of relative strength was observed between 2005 and 2014, with the ratio peaking at 1.22 in both 2005 and 2014. A subsequent contraction occurred between 2015 and 2018, during which the ratio dipped below the 1.0 threshold, reaching a low of 0.98 in 2016 and 0.99 in 2017.
- Liquidity Stabilization and Projections
- From 2019 through 2024, the current ratio demonstrated high stability, centering closely around 1.00, with a brief decline to 0.97 in 2023. Projections for 2025 and 2026 suggest a slight recovery in liquidity, with the ratio expected to rise to 1.03 and 1.06, respectively. This persistent proximity to a 1.0 ratio suggests a highly efficient conversion of inventory and receivables into cash to meet immediate obligations.
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Comparison to Competitors
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Target Corp. | Walmart Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 1.06 | 0.94 | 0.79 |
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | 0.94 | 0.82 |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.91 | 0.83 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.92 | 0.82 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.99 | 0.93 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 1.03 | 0.97 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.89 | 0.79 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.83 | 0.80 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.95 | 0.76 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 0.94 | 0.86 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 1.12 | 0.93 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.20 | 0.97 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.91 | 0.88 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 1.17 | 0.83 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 1.15 | 0.88 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 1.71 | 0.89 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.63 | 0.87 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.66 | 0.88 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 1.60 | 0.81 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 1.32 | 0.90 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.50 | 0.90 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 1.69 | 0.90 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Sector (Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail)
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to sector (consumer staples distribution & retail)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 1.06 | — |
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | 0.89 |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.87 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.89 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.96 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 0.99 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.88 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.85 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.83 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 0.90 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 0.97 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.01 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.94 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 0.93 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 0.96 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 1.03 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.02 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.02 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 0.96 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 0.99 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.00 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 1.05 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Industry (Consumer Staples)
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to industry (consumer staples)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples | |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 1.06 | — |
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | 0.89 |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.85 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.84 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.87 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 0.93 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.92 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.82 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.87 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 1.02 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 1.04 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.06 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.97 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 0.97 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 0.99 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 0.97 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.01 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.03 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 0.98 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 0.91 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.04 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 0.99 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).