Costco Wholesale Corp (COST)

Operating return on assets (Operating ROA)

Sep 1, 2024 Sep 3, 2023 Aug 28, 2022 Aug 29, 2021 Aug 30, 2020
Operating income US$ in thousands 9,285,000 8,114,000 7,793,000 6,708,000 5,435,000
Total assets US$ in thousands 69,831,000 68,994,000 64,166,000 59,268,000 55,556,000
Operating ROA 13.30% 11.76% 12.15% 11.32% 9.78%

September 1, 2024 calculation

Operating ROA = Operating income ÷ Total assets
= $9,285,000K ÷ $69,831,000K
= 13.30%

Costco Wholesale Corp's operating return on assets (ROA) has been consistently strong over the past five years, with the figures ranging from 9.78% to 13.30%. The upward trend in operating ROA indicates that the company has been effectively generating operating income relative to its total assets. This suggests that Costco has been efficient in utilizing its assets to generate earnings from its core operations.

The significant increase in operating ROA from 9.78% in Aug 30, 2020, to 13.30% in Sep 1, 2024, reflects an improvement in the company's operational efficiency and profitability. This increase could be attributed to various factors, such as cost control measures, revenue growth, or improved asset utilization.

Overall, Costco Wholesale Corp's consistent and strong operating ROA performance signifies its ability to generate profits from its operational activities relative to the size of its asset base. This metric is essential for investors and stakeholders as it provides insights into the company's operational efficiency and profitability over time.


Peer comparison

Sep 1, 2024