Costco

COST

Market cap $424B

Costco Wholesale Corp. NASDAQ: COST reported its fiscal Q3 2026 results after the market closed on May 28, and at first glance, it appears the company produced another stellar quarter.

Costco's gas stations have seen a rise in demand for their low-priced gasoline, as the surge helped the company top expectations for its third-quarter sales.

Costco sold a record amount of gas during the quarter ended May 10, as consumers sought relief from rising prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. “Price continues to resonate strongly with our members,” Costco President, CEO and Director Ron Vachris said Thursday (May 28) during an earnings call.

Issaquah-headquartered Costco Wholesale (COST) ended in the “red” on May 29 after the big-box retailer's Q3 per-share profit came in shy of Street estimates. The multinational's total revenue surpassed $70 billion in its fiscal third quarter – handily beating the consensus – but a more than 15% increase in EPS to $4.93 missed expectations.

American households have paid nearly $450 more on energy amid Iran War, according to a Moody's analysis shared exclusively with CNBC. That totals tens of billions of dollars spent as the multimonth conflict drives up fuel prices.

Costco topped third-quarter sales expectations as its gas stations hit record volumes amid surging fuel prices and growing consumer price sensitivity.

For long-term investors, any post-earnings weakness in Costco has historically been a gift more often than a warning.

Costco (NASDAQ:COST | COST Price Prediction) just delivered another quarter that proves why this membership machine keeps compounding.

Costco beat estimates on the top line and matched on the bottom line. Higher gas prices are helping to drive traffic.

COST beats Q3 estimates as membership fees rise and digitally enabled comps surge 21.5%, boosted by record gas volumes and tech upgrades.