Operating Profit Margin
since 2005
Calculation
Costco Wholesale Corp., operating profit margin, long-term trends, calculation
| Operating profit margin | = | 100 | × | Operating income1 | ÷ | Net sales1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 3.85% | = | 100 | × | 10,383) | ÷ | 269,912) |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 3.72% | = | 100 | × | 9,285) | ÷ | 249,625) |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 3.41% | = | 100 | × | 8,114) | ÷ | 237,710) |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 3.50% | = | 100 | × | 7,793) | ÷ | 222,730) |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 3.49% | = | 100 | × | 6,708) | ÷ | 192,052) |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 3.33% | = | 100 | × | 5,435) | ÷ | 163,220) |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 3.17% | = | 100 | × | 4,737) | ÷ | 149,351) |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 3.24% | = | 100 | × | 4,480) | ÷ | 138,434) |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 3.26% | = | 100 | × | 4,111) | ÷ | 126,172) |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 3.16% | = | 100 | × | 3,672) | ÷ | 116,073) |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 3.19% | = | 100 | × | 3,624) | ÷ | 113,666) |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 2.92% | = | 100 | × | 3,220) | ÷ | 110,212) |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 2.97% | = | 100 | × | 3,053) | ÷ | 102,870) |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 2.84% | = | 100 | × | 2,759) | ÷ | 97,062) |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 2.80% | = | 100 | × | 2,439) | ÷ | 87,048) |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 2.72% | = | 100 | × | 2,077) | ÷ | 76,255) |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 2.54% | = | 100 | × | 1,777) | ÷ | 69,889) |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 2.77% | = | 100 | × | 1,969) | ÷ | 70,977) |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 2.55% | = | 100 | × | 1,609) | ÷ | 63,088) |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 2.76% | = | 100 | × | 1,626) | ÷ | 58,963) |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 2.84% | = | 100 | × | 1,474) | ÷ | 51,862) |
Based on: 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
- Operating Income
- Operating income shows a consistent upward trend over the entire period. Starting at 1,474 million USD, it increased steadily to reach 10,383 million USD by the last recorded year. Notable acceleration in growth is observed post-2015, with particularly strong increases from 2020 onwards, indicating improved operational efficiency and expansion.
- Net Sales
- Net sales exhibit continuous growth throughout the period, rising from 51,862 million USD to 269,912 million USD. The growth trajectory is relatively steady, with incremental increases each year. The pace of sales growth accelerated markedly after 2016, especially between 2020 and 2024, reflecting either higher volumes sold, price increases, or both.
- Operating Profit Margin
- The operating profit margin has generally improved over the analyzed period. It started at 2.84% and experienced slight fluctuations in the early years but maintained an upward trend thereafter. The margin peaked at 3.85% by the end of the timeframe, signaling enhanced profitability relative to net sales, likely due to optimized cost management and favorable operational conditions.
- Overall Trends and Insights
- The company demonstrates a robust pattern of growth in both top-line revenue and operating profitability. The simultaneous rise in operating income and net sales, combined with a gradually improving operating profit margin, reflects effective scaling and operational efficiency initiatives. The post-2015 period, especially after 2020, underlines accelerated expansion and margin enhancement, suggesting successful strategic execution during more recent years.
Comparison to Competitors
Costco Wholesale Corp., operating profit margin, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Target Corp. | Walmart Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 3.85% | 5.22% | 4.35% |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 3.72% | 5.31% | 4.20% |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 3.41% | 3.53% | 3.37% |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 3.50% | 8.44% | 4.57% |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 3.49% | 6.99% | 4.06% |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 3.33% | 5.96% | 3.96% |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 3.17% | 5.45% | 4.30% |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 3.24% | 6.00% | 4.12% |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 3.26% | 7.15% | 4.73% |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 3.16% | 7.49% | 5.04% |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 3.19% | 6.25% | 5.63% |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 2.92% | 5.83% | 5.68% |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 2.97% | 7.33% | 5.96% |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 2.84% | 7.62% | 5.98% |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 2.80% | 7.79% | 6.10% |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 2.72% | 7.15% | 5.91% |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 2.54% | 6.78% | 5.68% |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 2.77% | 8.32% | 5.87% |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 2.55% | 8.52% | 5.94% |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 2.76% | 8.22% | 5.93% |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 2.84% | 7.69% | 5.99% |
Based on: 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).