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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) Free Cash Flow (FCF): $7.84B

The free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is $7.84B. It is above its 12-month average by 8.35% ($7.23B).

COST Free Cash Flow (FCF) Chart

COST Free Cash Flow (FCF)
$7.84B+18.22% 1Y
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COST Average Free Cash Flow (FCF) Chart

COST Current vs Average Free Cash Flow (FCF) Chart

COST Free Cash Flow (FCF) Metrics

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF)

$7.84B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG TTM

$7.23B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG 3Y

$7.07B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG 5Y

$6.02B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG 10Y

$4.46B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG 15Y

$3.60B

FREE CASH FLOW (FCF) AVG 20Y

$2.91B

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

+8.35%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

+10.84%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

+30.26%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

+75.74%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

+117.66%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

+169.26%

FCF Analysis

Free Cash Flow (TTM)

$7.84B

FCF Yield

2.05%

Price/FCF

48.9

Formula: FCF = Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures

Why FCF matters:

  • Shows actual cash available (not accounting earnings)
  • Funds dividends, buybacks, and debt reduction
  • Less susceptible to accounting manipulation than net income
  • Key metric for DCF valuation models

Costco Wholesale Corporation Free Cash Flow (FCF) Formula & Definition

Free Cash Flow represents the cash a company generates after accounting for capital expenditures. It's the cash available for dividends, buybacks, debt reduction, or reinvestment.

Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute

Costco Wholesale Corporation Free Cash Flow (FCF) FAQ

What is the free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $7.84B.
What is the TTM average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The TTM average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $7.23B.
What is the 3Y average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The 3Y average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $7.07B.
What is the 5Y average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The 5Y average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $6.02B.
What is the 10Y average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The 10Y average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $4.46B.
What is the 15Y average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The 15Y average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $3.60B.
What is the 20Y average free cash flow (FCF) for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)?
The 20Y average free cash flow (FCF) for COST stock is $2.91B.

Costco Wholesale Corporation Free Cash Flow (FCF) History

DATEFREE CASH FLOW (FCF)
2025-08-31$7.84B
2024-09-01$6.63B
2023-09-03$6.75B
2022-08-28$3.50B
2021-08-29$5.37B
2020-08-30$6.05B
2019-08-31$3.36B
2018-08-31$2.81B
2017-08-31$4.22B
2016-08-31$643.00M
2015-08-31$1.89B
2014-08-31$1.99B
2013-08-31$1.35B
2012-08-31$1.58B
2011-08-31$1.91B
2010-08-31$1.73B
2009-08-31$842.00M
2008-08-31$577.60M
2007-08-31$690.71M
2006-08-31$614.72M
2005-08-31$787.75M
2004-08-31$1.39B
2003-08-31$696.54M
2002-08-31$-20.36M
2001-08-31$-414.99M
2000-08-31$-158.06M
1999-08-31$153.00M
1998-08-31$165.70M
1997-08-31$36.80M
1996-08-31$-80.40M

About Costco Wholesale Corporation

Costco Wholesale Corporation, alongside its group entities, operates membership-based retail warehouses across a broad international scope, spanning the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, Iceland, China, and Taiwan. These outlets provide customers with an extensive array of both well-known branded and proprietary private-label products. Their vast inventory includes household staples, shelf-stable groceries, confectionery, chilled and frozen items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and deli selections. Furthermore, the stores stock major appliances, consumer electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, garden and patio furniture, sporting goods, vehicle tires, toys, seasonal merchandise, office supplies, automotive maintenance products, postage services, event tickets, apparel, small kitchen appliances, home furnishings, domestic textiles, kitchenware, custom-order kiosks, and fine jewelry. Fresh departments offer meat, produce, a service deli, and bakery items. Beyond retail goods, Costco provides in-store amenities such as pharmacies, optical clinics, food courts, hearing aid centers, and tire installation facilities, in addition to managing 636 gas stations. The company also extends its offerings online through business delivery, travel booking, and same-day grocery fulfillment in various countries. As of August 29, 2021, Costco maintained a global network of 815 membership warehouses, with 564 located in the United States and Puerto Rico, 105 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 30 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 16 in South Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 12 in Australia, 3 in Spain, and one each in Iceland, France, and China. Digital storefronts facilitate e-commerce operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. Founded in 1976, the enterprise was originally known as Costco Companies, Inc. before officially adopting the name Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Issaquah, Washington.

Issaquah, WA
333,000 employees
Consumer Defensive / Discount Stores
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Discount Stores
CEO
Ron Vachris