Costco Wholesale Corp /new (COST) Quarterly Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flow Summary

Costco Wholesale Corp /new (COST) quarterly cash flow statement covering the six quarters from May 2025 to August 2026, as reported to the SEC.

Costco Wholesale Corp /new generated $4.68B in cash from operations in the quarter ended August 30, 2026, up 21.1% from $3.87B a year earlier.
That is 1.6 times its reported net income of $3B.
After spending $2.21B on additions to property and equipment, free cash flow was $2.48B.
Investing activities used $2.22B and financing activities used $1.18B. Overall, cash went up $1.26B.
Costco Wholesale Corp /new spent $245M buying back its own shares and paid $1.3B in dividends.

A cash flow statement shows the cash that actually came in and went out, split between running the business, investing and financing.

Figures in USD millions

						Aug'26	May'26	Feb'26	Nov'25	Aug'25	May'25
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
NET INCOME
2,998	2,192	2,035	2,001	2,610	1,903	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
NET INCOME						2,998	2,192	2,035	2,001	2,610	1,903	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net income including noncontrolling interests
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net income including noncontrolling interests						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
883	597	597	597	774	552	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Depreciation and amortization						883	597	597	597	774	552	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Non-cash lease expense
97	72	74	75	95	71	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Non-cash lease expense						97	72	74	75	95	71	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation
153	119	166	486	140	106	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation						153	119	166	486	140	106	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Impairment of assets and other non-cash operating activities, net
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Impairment of assets and other non-cash operating activities, net						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Undistributed equity earnings in joint ventures
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Undistributed equity earnings in joint ventures						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other Noncash Income (Expense)
-13	30	-71	5	-6	-64	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other Noncash Income (Expense)						-13	30	-71	5	-6	-64	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories
-87	457	-2,374	3,157	-584	-337	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Merchandise inventories						-87	457	-2,374	3,157	-584	-337	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable
257	1,767	-3,087	3,818	-200	1,062	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable						257	1,767	-3,087	3,818	-200	1,062	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other operating assets and liabilities, net
110	811	-766	-873	34	635	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other operating assets and liabilities, net						110	811	-766	-873	34	635	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by operating activities
4,684	3,449	2,996	4,688	3,867	3,460	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by operating activities						4,684	3,449	2,996	4,688	3,867	3,460	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Sales of investments
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Sales of investments						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Additions to property and equipment
2,207	1,413	1,289	1,526	1,966	1,131	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Additions to property and equipment						2,207	1,413	1,289	1,526	1,966	1,131	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of short-term investments
308	230	55	195	455	228	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of short-term investments						308	230	55	195	455	228	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Maturities of short-term investments
267	34	170	340	355	34	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Maturities of short-term investments						267	34	170	340	355	34	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Increase resulting from initial consolidation of Costco Mexico
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Increase resulting from initial consolidation of Costco Mexico						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other investing activities, net
-30	-17	-4	17	-98	11	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other investing activities, net						-30	-17	-4	17	-98	11	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in investing activities
-2,218	-1,592	-1,170	-1,398	-1,968	-1,336	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in investing activities						-2,218	-1,592	-1,170	-1,398	-1,968	-1,336	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in bank checks outstanding
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Change in bank checks outstanding						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repayments of short-term borrowings
187	325	65	-	227	246	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repayments of short-term borrowings						187	325	65	-	227	246	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
94	323	136	-	200	246	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from short-term borrowings						94	323	136	-	200	246	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repayments of long-term debt
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repayments of long-term debt						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Distribution to noncontrolling interests
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Distribution to noncontrolling interests						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from exercise of stock options						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Tax withholdings on stock-based awards
-	3	1	357	1	2	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Tax withholdings on stock-based awards						-	3	1	357	1	2	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from stock-based awards, net of minimum tax withholdings
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from stock-based awards, net of minimum tax withholdings						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repurchases of common stock
245	184	209	210	280	211	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repurchases of common stock						245	184	209	210	280	211	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Cash dividend payments
1,304	-	577	577	1,153	515	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Cash dividend payments						1,304	-	577	577	1,153	515	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Financing lease payments and other financing activities, net
-	20	14	23	-	20	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Financing lease payments and other financing activities, net						-	20	14	23	-	20	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other financing activities, net
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other financing activities, net						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in financing activities
-1,180	-278	-730	-1,167	-1,593	-748	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in financing activities						-1,180	-278	-730	-1,167	-1,593	-748	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
-25	-16	70	-67	19	104	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS						-25	-16	70	-67	19	104	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
1,261	1,563	1,166	2,056	325	1,480	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net change in cash and cash equivalents						1,261	1,563	1,166	2,056	325	1,480	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid
25	27	8	43	25	26	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Interest paid						25	27	8	43	25	26	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes paid, net
1,104	719	777	239	1,269	850	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes paid, net						1,104	719	777	239	1,269	850	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Decrease in accrued property and equipment
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Decrease in accrued property and equipment						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Property acquired under a capital lease
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Property acquired under a capital lease						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Unsettled repurchases of common stock
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Unsettled repurchases of common stock						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Increase in accrued property and equipment
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Increase in accrued property and equipment						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Financing lease assets obtained in exchange for new or modified leases
-	58	40	18	-	-10	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Financing lease assets obtained in exchange for new or modified leases						-	58	40	18	-	-10	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new or modified leases
-	68	41	93	-	180	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new or modified leases						-	68	41	93	-	180	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Capital expenditures included in liabilities
2	-17	-23	258	78	-49	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Capital expenditures included in liabilities						2	-17	-23	258	78	-49	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx