Earnings call transcript: Costco Q2 2026 beats forecasts, stock dips

Costco Wholesale Corp reported its second quarter fiscal 2026 financial results in the United States, revealing earnings and revenue growth that exceeded Wall Street expectations, yet the company's stock declined by 2.4% to $995.53 in aftermarket trading despite the positive financial performance. The retail giant posted diluted earnings per share of $4.58, surpassing analyst forecasts of $4.55, while generating $69.6 billion in revenue, slightly above the anticipated $69.25 billion. This strong financial performance demonstrates Costco's continued ability to navigate challenging economic conditions while maintaining growth. The stock's decline in aftermarket trading suggests that investors may have been expecting even more robust results or may be concerned about future growth prospects in an increasingly competitive retail environment. Costco's ability to consistently beat earnings estimates has been a hallmark of the company's performance in recent years, yet the market reaction highlights the increasingly high expectations placed on major retailers.