Costco: Profits Depend on Membership Fees
March 12, 2013 by Paul Ausick
In the same period a year ago, Costco reported EPS of $0.90 on revenue of $22.51 billion. This morning’s results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.06 and $25.05 billion in revenue.
For the quarter, same-store sales rose 5%, both including and excluding gasoline sales. EPS was positively influenced by a $0.10 a share tax benefit.
The company offered no guidance in its earnings announcement, but the consensus estimate for the quarter ending in May calls for EPS of $1.03 on revenues of $24.43 billion. For the full 2013 fiscal year, EPS is estimated at $4.50 on revenues of $106.57 billion.
Costco’s net income for the quarter totaled $547 million and the company’s revenue from membership fees totaled $528 million. That is Costco’s edge over Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT). Costco raised its membership fees in late 2011 by 10%.
Shares are up about 1% in premarket trading, at $103.48 in a 52-week range of $81.98 to $105.97. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $105.70 before today’s results were announced.
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