Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Analyst Report) reported its third-quarter fiscal 2015 results, wherein earnings of $1.17 per share surged 9.3% from the prior-year quarter and came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents. With this earnings beat, the company has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth straight quarter.

Let’s Unveil Further

The warehouse retailer’s total revenue, which includes net sales and membership fee, climbed 1.2% to $26,101 million from the prior-year quarter. Quarterly net sales rose 1.1% year over year to $25,517 million, whereas membership fee increased 4.1% to $584 million.

Costco’s comparable-store sales (comps) for the quarter fell 1%, reflecting a 6% decline at international outlets, partially offset by a 1% increase at the U.S. locations.

Excluding the effect of lower gasoline prices and currency headwinds, the company witnessed comps growth of 6% during the quarter, with U.S. and international comps registering an increase of 5% and 7%, respectively.

Costco’s operating income in the quarter under review rose 11.4% year over year to $821 million, whereas operating margin (as a percentage of total revenue) expanded 20 basis points to 3.1%.

Financial Aspects

Costco ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $5,063 million and long-term debt of $4,826 million. The company’s shareholders’ equity was $10,587 million, excluding non-controlling interests of $227 million.

Let’s Conclude

Costco continues to be a dominant retail wholesaler based on the breadth and quality of the merchandise it offers. Its strategy to sell products at highly discounted prices has helped in sustaining growth amid soft economic conditions. Also, the company’s diversification strategy is a natural hedge against risks that may arise in specific markets.

However, Costco faces stiff competition from Target Corporation (TGT - Analyst Report) and Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT - Analyst Report) that follow a similar business model which pushes through high volumes of merchandise at low prices in membership-only warehouse clubs. Thus, aggressive pricing to gain market share and drive traffic, amid stiff competition, may depress sales and margins, going forward.

Costco currently operates 673 warehouses, comprising 474 warehouses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, 89 in Canada, 35 in Mexico, 26 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Japan, 11 in Korea, 10 in Taiwan, 7 in Australia and 1 in Spain.

Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the retail space is Ross Stores Inc. (ROST - Analyst Report), which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).