Costco Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call

Costco is set to release Q3 earnings after market close on Thursday, May 29th, with analysts anticipating EPS of $4.23 versus $3.78 YoY and revenue of $63.1 billion compared to $58.52 billion YoY. Analyst ratings have been mixed recently, with some maintaining Buy/Outperform ratings while adjusting price targets, and one maintaining a Hold rating; the stock closed Wednesday at $1,013.14, down 0.5%.

Analysis

Costco Wholesale Corporation is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results on May 29, with analysts forecasting substantial year-over-year growth: earnings per share are expected at $4.23, up from $3.78, and revenue is projected at $63.1 billion, an increase from $58.52 billion. This anticipated growth follows a second quarter where Costco beat revenue estimates, though its broader track record shows it has surpassed analyst consensus in only four of the last ten quarters, introducing an element of uncertainty. Recent analyst ratings are predominantly positive, with Telsey Advisory Group (PT $1,100, rating issued May 8, 2025), Loop Capital (PT $1,045, rating issued April 9, 2025), Stifel (PT $1,035, rating issued March 20, 2025), and Evercore ISI Group (PT $1,070, rating issued March 11, 2025) maintaining 'Buy' or 'Outperform' ratings, albeit with some price target adjustments reflecting varied outlooks; Loop Capital and Stifel lowered targets while Evercore ISI raised theirs. Truist Securities offers a more cautious 'Hold' rating (PT $995, rating issued March 7, 2025). Ahead of the earnings, Costco's shares edged down 0.5% to $1,013.14, highlighting investor focus on the upcoming results to validate growth narratives and assess operational execution.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should closely monitor Costco's Q3 earnings report against the $4.23 EPS and $63.1 billion revenue expectations, particularly in light of its inconsistent record of surpassing analyst estimates over the past ten quarters.
• Attention should be given to management's commentary on future outlook, consumer demand strength, and margin trends, as these will be key to justifying the stock's current valuation and analyst price targets which range from $995 to $1,100.
• Consider the recent mixed analyst price target revisions (some lowered, some raised) alongside the predominantly 'Buy'/'Outperform' ratings as an indicator of nuanced sentiment when evaluating positions around the $1,013.14 pre-earnings stock price.