Costco Wholesale Corporation’s Dividend Payout Ratio at a glance
Costco Wholesale Corporation reports dividend payout ratio of 27% for Aug 2025. The prior period recorded 122.7% (Aug 2024). Year over year the metric moved −95.8 pts (−78%). The rolling three-period average stands at 56.5%. Data last refreshed Dec 6, 2025, 5:48 PM.
Latest reading
27% · Aug 2025
YoY movement
−95.8 pts (−78%)
Rolling average
56.5%
Current Dividend Payout Ratio
27%
−95.8 pts
−78%
Rolling average
56.5%
Latest Value
27%
Aug 2025
YoY Change
−95.8 pts
Absolute
YoY Change %
−78%
Rate of change
3-Period Avg
56.5%
Smoothed
Narrative signal
Costco Wholesale Corporation’s dividend payout ratio stands at 27% for Aug 2025. Year-over-year, the metric shifted by −95.8 pts, translating into a −78% rate of change versus the prior period.
Pair this momentum with product cadence, pricing power, and capital allocation moves to understand durability.
Blend with balance sheet, cash flow, and peer benchmarks from AlphaPilot’s broader dashboards to shape an investable thesis.
How dividend payout ratio shapes Costco Wholesale Corporation's story
As of Aug 2025, Costco Wholesale Corporation reports dividend payout ratio of 27%. Monitor dividend payout ratios to assess the sustainability of shareholder distributions and identify reinvestment priorities.
Reading payout discipline
Consistent payout ratios signal predictable dividend policy, while sharp swings can foreshadow changes in cash allocation.
Use with free cash flow
Compare payout ratios with free cash flow coverage to judge whether dividends are funded by operations or leverage.
Valuation Multiples
Compare how the market prices revenue, equity, and operating cash flow versus peers and history.
Profitability & Margins
Understand cost structure and capital efficiency trends across gross, operating, and net results.
Gross Margin
12.8%
Operating Margin
3.8%
Net Profit Margin
2.9%
Return on Equity
27.8%
Return on Assets
10.5%
Growth Momentum
Track whether top-line, earnings, and free cash flow growth are accelerating or cooling.
Balance Sheet Strength
Evaluate leverage, liquidity, and cash generation capacity that underpin resilience.
Shareholder Returns
Follow dividend sustainability and cash generation relative to market value.
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) FAQs
Answers tailored to Costco Wholesale Corporation’s dividend payout ratio profile using the latest Financial Modeling Prep data.
What is Costco Wholesale Corporation's current dividend payout ratio?
As of Aug 2025, Costco Wholesale Corporation reports dividend payout ratio of 27%. This reading reflects the latest filings and price data for COST.
How is Costco Wholesale Corporation's dividend payout ratio trending year over year?
Year-over-year, the figure shifts by −95.8 pts (−78%). Pair this context with revenue growth and free cash flow signals to gauge momentum for COST.
Why does dividend payout ratio matter for Costco Wholesale Corporation?
Dividend payout ratio shows the share of earnings distributed as dividends. For Costco Wholesale Corporation, operating within Consumer Defensive — Discount Stores, tracking this metric helps benchmark management's execution against close competitors.
Is Costco Wholesale Corporation's dividend payout ratio above its recent average?
Costco Wholesale Corporation's rolling three-period average sits at 56.5%. Comparing the latest reading of 27% to that baseline highlights whether momentum is building or fading for COST.
How frequently is Costco Wholesale Corporation's dividend payout ratio refreshed?
Data for COST was last refreshed on Dec 6, 2025, 5:48 PM and updates automatically every 24 hours, keeping your valuation inputs current.