Costco Wholesale (COST) Retained Earnings: $26,482 Mil (As of May. 2026)

Costco Wholesale  (NAS:COST) Retained Earnings Explanation

Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.

For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.

If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.

Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.

Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.

One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.

If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.

If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.

Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.

Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.

The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.

The historical data trend for Costco Wholesale's Retained Earnings can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Costco Wholesale Retained Earnings Chart

Costco Wholesale Annual Data
	Trend	Aug16	Aug17	Aug18	Aug19	Aug20	Aug21	Aug22	Aug23	Aug24	Aug25
Retained Earnings		Get a 7-Day Free Trial					11,666.00	15,585.00	19,521.00	17,619.00	22,650.00

Costco Wholesale Quarterly Data
	Aug21	Nov21	Feb22	May22	Aug22	Nov22	Feb23	May23	Aug23	Nov23	Feb24	May24	Aug24	Nov24	Feb25	May25	Aug25	Nov25	Feb26	May26
Retained Earnings	Get a 7-Day Free Trial															20,890.00	22,650.00	23,869.00	25,121.00	26,482.00

Costco Wholesale Retained Earnings Calculation

Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.

Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.

Costco Wholesale Business Description