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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 10-Q
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended November 24, 2019
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 0-20355
Costco Wholesale Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington
 
91-1223280
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (425) 313-8100

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
 
COST
 
The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
 
 
Emerging growth company
☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐   No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of December 11, 2019 was 441,757,627.


COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q 
 
 
Page
PART I
 
Item 1.
3
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
Item 2.
20
Item 3.
28
Item 4.
28
 
 
 
PART II
 
Item 1.
29
Item 1A.
29
Item 2.
29
Item 3.
29
Item 4.
29
Item 5.
29
Item 6.
30
 
31


2

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1—Financial Statements
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(amounts in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
REVENUE
 
 
 
Net sales
$
36,236

 
$
34,311

Membership fees
804

 
758

Total revenue
37,040

 
35,069

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
Merchandise costs
32,233

 
30,623

Selling, general and administrative
3,732

 
3,475

Preopening expenses
14

 
22

Operating income
1,061

 
949

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
Interest expense
(38
)
 
(36
)
Interest income and other, net
35

 
22

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
1,058

 
935

Provision for income taxes
202

 
158

Net income including noncontrolling interests
856

 
777

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(12
)
 
(10
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO
$
844

 
$
767

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.91

 
$
1.75

Diluted
$
1.90

 
$
1.73

Shares used in calculation (000s):
 
 
 
Basic
441,818

 
439,157

Diluted
443,680

 
442,749


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(amounts in millions) (unaudited)
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
$
856

 
$
777

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
125

 
(134
)
Comprehensive income
981

 
643

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
22

 
8

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO
$
959

 
$
635


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in millions, except par value and share data) (unaudited)


November 24,
2019
 
September 1,
2019
ASSETS
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
9,027

 
$
8,384

Short-term investments
993

 
1,060

Receivables, net
1,711

 
1,535

Merchandise inventories
13,818

 
11,395

Other current assets
1,094

 
1,111

Total current assets
26,643

 
23,485

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
 
Land
6,533

 
6,417

Buildings and improvements
17,732

 
17,136

Equipment and fixtures
8,243

 
7,801

Construction in progress
803

 
1,272

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(12,074
)
 
(11,736
)
Net property and equipment
21,237

 
20,890

OTHER ASSETS
 
 
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
2,597

 
0

Other long-term assets
954

 
1,025

TOTAL ASSETS
$
51,431

 
$
45,400

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
14,440

 
$
11,679

Accrued salaries and benefits
3,159

 
3,176

Accrued member rewards
1,193

 
1,180

Deferred membership fees
1,817

 
1,711

Current portion of long-term debt
1,700

 
1,699

Other current liabilities
3,956

 
3,792

Total current liabilities
26,265

 
23,237

OTHER LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
5,107

 
5,124

Long-term operating lease liabilities
2,442

 
0

Other long-term liabilities
1,393

 
1,455

TOTAL LIABILITIES
35,207

 
29,816

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred stock $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
0

 
0

Common stock $0.01 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 441,778,000 and 439,625,000 shares issued and outstanding
4

 
4

Additional paid-in capital
6,391

 
6,417

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,321
)
 
(1,436
)
Retained earnings
10,787

 
10,258

Total Costco stockholders’ equity
15,861

 
15,243

Noncontrolling interests
363

 
341

TOTAL EQUITY
16,224

 
15,584

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
51,431

 
$
45,400


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(amounts in millions) (unaudited)
 
12 Weeks Ended November 24, 2019
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total Costco
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Shares (000s)
 
Amount
 
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 1, 2019
439,625

 
$
4

 
$
6,417

 
$
(1,436
)
 
$
10,258

 
$
15,243

 
$
341

 
$
15,584

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
844

 
844

 
12

 
856

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
115

 
—

 
115

 
10

 
125

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
302

 
—

 
—

 
302

 
—

 
302

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects
2,253

 
—

 
(326
)
 
—

 
—

 
(326
)
 
—

 
(326
)
Repurchases of common stock
(100
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(28
)
 
(30
)
 
—

 
(30
)
Cash dividend declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(287
)
 
(287
)
 
—

 
(287
)
BALANCE AT NOVEMBER 24, 2019
441,778

 
$
4

 
$
6,391

 
$
(1,321
)
 
$
10,787

 
$
15,861

 
$
363

 
$
16,224

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 Weeks Ended November 25, 2018
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total Costco
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Shares (000s)
 
Amount
 
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
438,189

 
$
4

 
$
6,107

 
$
(1,199
)
 
$
7,887

 
$
12,799

 
$
304

 
$
13,103

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
767

 
767

 
10

 
777

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
(132
)
 
—

 
(132
)
 
(2
)
 
(134
)
Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
272

 
—

 
—

 
272

 
—

 
272

Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects
2,507

 
—

 
(270
)
 
—

 
—

 
(270
)
 
—

 
(270
)
Repurchases of common stock
(150
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(32
)
 
(34
)
 
—

 
(34
)
Cash dividend declared and other
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(235
)
 
(235
)
 
—

 
(235
)
BALANCE AT NOVEMBER 25, 2018
440,546

 
$
4

 
$
6,107

 
$
(1,331
)
 
$
8,387

 
$
13,167

 
$
312

 
$
13,479




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in millions) (unaudited)
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income including noncontrolling interests
$
856

 
$
777

Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
369

 
331

Non-cash lease expense
39

 
0

Stock-based compensation
301

 
270

Other non-cash operating activities, net
16

 
(4
)
Deferred income taxes
5

 
(31
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Merchandise inventories
(2,384
)
 
(1,324
)
Accounts payable
2,664

 
1,822

Other operating assets and liabilities, net
236

 
336

Net cash provided by operating activities
2,102

 
2,177

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Purchases of short-term investments
(321
)
 
(316
)
Maturities and sales of short-term investments
397

 
340

Additions to property and equipment
(715
)
 
(730
)
Other investing activities, net
9

 
(31
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(630
)
 
(737
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Change in bank payments outstanding
122

 
193

Repayments of long-term debt
0

 
(89
)
Tax withholdings on stock-based awards
(326
)
 
(270
)
Repurchases of common stock
(30
)
 
(32
)
Cash dividend payments
(573
)
 
(501
)
Other financing activities, net
(29
)
 
(1
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(836
)
 
(700
)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
7

 
(17
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
643

 
723

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS BEGINNING OF YEAR
8,384

 
6,055

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS END OF PERIOD
$
9,027

 
$
6,778

 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the first 12 weeks of the year for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
50

 
$
49

Income taxes, net
$
97

 
$
133


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(amounts in millions, except share, per share, and warehouse count data)
(unaudited)
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco or the Company), a Washington corporation, and its subsidiaries operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. For the period ended November 24, 2019, Costco operated 785 warehouses worldwide: 546 in the United States (U.S.) located in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, 100 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 29 in the United Kingdom (U.K.), 26 in Japan, 16 in Korea, 13 in Taiwan, 11 in Australia, two in Spain, and one each in Iceland, France and China. The Company operates e-commerce websites in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material intercompany transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Taiwan. Unless otherwise noted, references to net income relate to net income attributable to Costco.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While these statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of the interim period, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for complete financial statements. Therefore, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019.
Fiscal Year End
The Company operates on a 52/53 week fiscal year basis, with the fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to August 31. Fiscal 2020 is a 52-week year ending on August 30, 2020. References to the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 relate to the 12-week fiscal quarters ended November 24, 2019, and November 25, 2018, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

8

Leases
The Company leases land and/or buildings at warehouses and certain other office and distribution facilities. Leases generally contain one or more of the following options, which the Company can exercise at the end of the initial term: (a) renew the lease for a defined number of years at the then-fair market rental rate or rate stipulated in the lease agreement; (b) purchase the property at the then-fair market value; or (c) a right of first refusal in the event of a third-party offer.

Some leases include free rent periods and step-rent provisions, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the original term of the lease and any extension options that the Company more likely than not expects to exercise from the date the Company has control of the property. Certain leases provide for periodic rent increases based on price indices or the greater of minimum guaranteed amounts or sales volume. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company determines at inception of a contract whether the contract is or contains a lease. The Company initially records right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease obligations for its finance and operating leases based on the discounted future minimum lease payments over the term. As the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not easily determinable, the present value of the sum of the lease payments is calculated by using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The rate is determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest the Company would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The Company uses quoted interest rates from financial institutions to derive the incremental borrowing rate. The lease term is defined as the noncancelable period of the lease plus any options to extend when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 - Leases (ASC 842), which required recognition on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms greater than 12 months. The Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective transition method and elected to use the effective date of September 2, 2019 as the date of initial application. Consequently, the comparative periods presented continue to be in accordance with ASC 840, Leases.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, allowing the Company to carry forward conclusions related to: (a) whether expired or existing contracts contain leases; (b) lease classification; and (c) initial direct costs for existing leases. The Company has elected not to record operating lease right-of-use assets or lease liabilities associated with leases with durations of 12 months or less. Lastly, the Company elected the practical expedient allowing aggregation of non-lease components with related lease components when evaluating accounting treatment for all classes of underlying assets.
 
Adoption of the new standard resulted in an initial increase to assets and liabilities of $2,632 related to recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations as of September 2, 2019. Other line item impacts in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet were not material. The standard did not materially impact the condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows. For more information on the Company's lease arrangements refer to Note 5.

9

Note 2—Investments
The Company's investments were as follows:
November 24, 2019:
Cost
Basis
 
Unrealized
Gains, Net
 
Recorded
Basis
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Government and agency securities
$
596

 
$
4

 
$
600

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of deposit
393

 
 
 
393

Total short-term investments
$
989

 
$
4

 
$
993

September 1, 2019:
Cost
Basis
 
Unrealized
Gains, Net
 
Recorded
Basis
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Government and agency securities
$
716

 
$
6

 
$
722

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of deposit
338

 
 
 
338

Total short-term investments
$
1,054

 
$
6

 
$
1,060


Gross unrecognized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material for the periods ended November 24, 2019, and September 1, 2019. At November 24, 2019, and September 1, 2019, available-for-sale securities that were in a continuous unrealized-loss position were not material. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities during the first quarter of 2020 or 2019.
The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at November 24, 2019, are as follows:
 
Available-For-Sale
 
Held-To-Maturity
 
Cost Basis
 
Fair Value
 
Due in one year or less
$
213

 
$
212

 
$
393

Due after one year through five years
375

 
379

 
0

Due after five years
8

 
9

 
0

Total
$
596

 
$
600

 
$
393



10

Note 3—Fair Value Measurement
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The table below presents information regarding financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level within the fair value hierarchy reflecting the valuation techniques utilized to determine fair value.
 
Level 2
 
November 24,
2019
 
September 1,
2019
Investment in government and agency securities(1)
$
699

 
$
766

Forward foreign-exchange contracts, in asset position(2)
6

 
15

Forward foreign-exchange contracts, in (liability) position(2)
(7
)
 
(4
)
Total
$
698

 
$
777

 
 _______________
(1)
At November 24, 2019, $99 cash and cash equivalents and $600 short-term investments are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. At September 1, 2019, $44 cash and cash equivalents and $722 short-term investments are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2)
The asset and liability values are included in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
At November 24, 2019 and September 1, 2019, the Company did not hold any Level 1 or 3 financial assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between levels during the first quarter of 2020 or 2019.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets and liabilities recognized and disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as financial assets measured at amortized cost and long-lived nonfinancial assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired. There were no fair value adjustments to these items during the first quarter of 2020 and 2019.
Note 4—Debt
The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
November 24,
2019
 
September 1,
2019
1.70% Senior Notes due December 2019
$
1,200

 
$
1,200

1.75% Senior Notes due February 2020
500

 
500

2.15% Senior Notes due May 2021
1,000

 
1,000

2.25% Senior Notes due February 2022
500

 
500

2.30% Senior Notes due May 2022
800

 
800

2.75% Senior Notes due May 2024
1,000

 
1,000

3.00% Senior Notes due May 2027
1,000

 
1,000

Other long-term debt
833

 
852

Total long-term debt
6,833

 
6,852

Less unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs
26

 
29

Less current portion(1) 
1,700

 
1,699

Long-term debt, excluding current portion
$
5,107

 
$
5,124


 _______________
(1)
Net of unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs.


11

The estimated fair value of Senior Notes is valued using Level 2 inputs. Other long-term debt consists of Guaranteed Senior Notes issued by the Company's Japan subsidiary, valued using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $6,945 and $6,997 at November 24, 2019, and September 1, 2019, respectively.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on December 16, 2019, the Company paid the outstanding principal balance and associated interest on the 1.70% Senior Notes from cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Note 5—Leases
The tables below present information regarding the Company's lease assets and liabilities:
 
 
November 24,
2019
Assets
 
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
$
2,597

Finance lease assets(1)
 
355

Total lease assets
 
$
2,952

Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
 
Operating(2)
 
$
169

Finance(2)
 
12

Long-term
 
 
Operating
 
2,442

Finance(3)
 
388

Total lease liabilities
 
$
3,011

 _______________
(1)
Included in net property and equipment in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2)
Included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
Included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
November 24,
2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
 
 
Operating leases
 
21

Finance leases
 
15

Weighted-average discount rate
 
 
Operating leases
 
2.25
%
Finance leases
 
8.54
%


12

The components of lease expense, excluding short-term and variable lease costs and sublease income which were not material, were as follows:
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
November 24,
2019
Operating lease cost(1)
 
$
51

Finance lease cost
 
 
Amortization of lease assets(1)
 
4

Interest on lease liabilities(2)
 
7

Total lease cost
 
$
62

 _______________
(1)
Generally included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
(2)
Included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
 
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
 
November 24,
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
 
 
Operating cash flows — operating leases
 
$
40

Operating cash flows — finance leases
 
7

Financing cash flows — finance leases
 
31

Leased assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities
 
4

Leased assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
 
10


As of November 24, 2019, future minimum payments during the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
 
Operating Leases(1)
 
Finance Leases
2020
$
173

 
$
29

2021
216

 
40

2022
206

 
39

2023
212

 
42

2024
188

 
40

Thereafter
2,400

 
557

Total(2)
3,395

 
747

Less amount representing interest
784

 
347

Present value of lease liabilities
$
2,611

 
$
400

 _______________
(1)
Operating lease payments have not been reduced by future sublease income of $103.
(2)
Excludes $250 of lease payments for leases that have been signed but not yet commenced.

13

As of September 1, 2019, future minimum payments, net of sub-lease income of $105, under noncancelable operating leases with terms of at least one year and capital leases reported under ASC 840 were as follows:
 
Operating Leases
 
Capital Leases
2020
$
239

 
$
51

2021
229

 
53

2022
202

 
38

2023
193

 
39

2024
181

 
39

Thereafter
2,206

 
544

Total
$
3,250

 
764

Less amount representing interest

 
343

Net present value of minimum lease payments

 
$
421


Note 6—Equity
Dividends
The Company’s current quarterly dividend is $0.65 per share, compared to $0.57 in the first quarter of 2019. On October 18, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.65 per share, which was paid on November 15, 2019.
Stock Repurchase Programs
Stock repurchase activity during the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 is summarized below:
 
Shares Repurchased (000s)
 
Average Price per Share
 
Total Cost
First quarter of 2020
100

 
$
295.97

 
$
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
First quarter of 2019
150

 
$
229.35

 
$
34


These amounts may differ from the stock repurchase balances in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of a quarter. The remaining amount available for stock repurchases under the approved plan was $3,913 at November 24, 2019. Purchases are made from time to time, as conditions warrant, in the open market or in block purchases and pursuant to plans under SEC Rule 10b5-1.

14

Note 7—Stock-Based Compensation
The 2019 Incentive Plan authorized the issuance of 17,500,000 shares (10,000,000 RSUs) of common stock for future grants, plus the remaining shares that were available for grant and the future forfeited shares from grants under the previous plan up to a maximum aggregate of 27,800,000 shares (15,885,000 RSUs). The Company issues new shares of common stock upon vesting of RSUs. Shares for vested RSUs are generally delivered to participants annually, net of shares withheld for taxes.
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity
At November 24, 2019, 13,451,000 shares were available to be granted as RSUs, and the following awards were outstanding:
•
5,227,000 time-based RSUs that vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time;
•
30,000 performance-based RSUs, granted to executive officers of the Company, for which the performance targets have been met. The awards vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time; and
•
123,000 performance-based RSUs, granted to executive officers of the Company, subject to achievement of performance targets for fiscal 2020, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors after the end of the fiscal year. These awards are not included in the table below.
The following table summarizes RSU transactions during the first quarter of 2020:
 
Number of
Units
(in 000s)
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
Outstanding at September 1, 2019
6,496

 
$
167.55

Granted
2,128

 
293.62

Vested and delivered
(3,341
)
 
188.91

Forfeited
(26
)
 
182.38

Outstanding at November 24, 2019
5,257

 
$
204.94


The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSUs at November 24, 2019, was $1,012, and the weighted-average period over which this cost will be recognized is 1.8 years.
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits:
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes
$
301

 
$
270

Less recognized income tax benefit
(66
)
 
(61
)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes
$
235

 
$
209



15

Note 8—Taxes
Other Taxes
The Company is undergoing multiple examinations for value-added, sales-based, payroll, product, import or other non-income taxes in various jurisdictions. In certain cases, the Company has received assessments from the authorities. In September 2019, the Company received an assessment related to a product tax audit covering multiple years. The Company recorded the charge in fiscal 2019 and is protesting the assessment. Other possible losses or range of possible losses associated with these matters are either immaterial or an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time. If certain matters or a group of matters were to be decided adversely to the Company, it could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual fiscal quarter or year.
Note 9—Net Income per Common and Common Equivalent Share
The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the weighted average number of shares of basic and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000s):
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Net income attributable to Costco
$
844

 
$
767

Weighted average basic shares
441,818

 
439,157

RSUs
1,862

 
3,592

Weighted average diluted shares
443,680

 
442,749



Note 10-Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in a number of claims, proceedings and litigation arising from its business and property ownership. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. There may be exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss (taking into account where applicable indemnification arrangements concerning suppliers and insurers) and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. As of the date of this Report, the Company has recorded immaterial accruals with respect to certain matters described below, in addition to other immaterial accruals for matters not described below. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. In each case, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, including a loss in excess of the applicable accrual. For matters where no accrual has been recorded, the possible loss or range of loss (including any loss in excess of the accrual) cannot, in the Company's view, be reasonably estimated because, among other things: (i) the remedies or penalties sought are indeterminate or unspecified; (ii) the legal and/or factual theories are not well developed; and/or (iii) the matters involve complex or novel legal theories or a large number of parties.


16

The Company is a defendant in a class action alleging violation of California Wage Order 7-2001 for failing to provide seating to member service assistants who act as greeters in the Company’s California warehouses. Canela v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al. (Case No. 5:13-CV-03598, N.D. Cal. filed July 1, 2013). The complaint seeks relief under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. The Company filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint. The action has been stayed pending review by the Ninth Circuit of the order certifying a class. In January 2019, an employee brought similar claims for relief concerning Costco employees engaged at member services counters in California. Rodriguez v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. RG19001310, Alameda Superior Court filed Jan. 4, 2019). The Company filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint. In December 2018, a depot employee raised similar claims, alleging that depot employees in California did not receive suitable seating or appropriate workplace temperature conditions. Lane v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Dec. 6, 2018 Notice to California Labor and Workforce Development Agency). The Company filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint. In October the parties reached an agreement to settle the seating claims on a class basis, which is subject to court approval.

In January 2019, a former seasonal employee filed a class action, alleging failure to provide California seasonal employees meal and rest breaks, proper wage statements, and appropriate wages. Jadan v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 19-CV-340438 Santa Clara Superior Court filed Jan. 3, 2019). The complaint seeks relief under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. In October the parties reached an agreement on a class settlement, which is subject to court approval.
In March 2019, employees filed a class action against the Company alleging claims under California law for failure to pay overtime, to provide meal periods and itemized wage statements, to timely pay wages due to terminating employees, to pay minimum wages, and for unfair business practices. Relief is sought under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys' fees. Nevarez, et ano., v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al. (Case No. 2:19-cv-03454 C.D. Cal. filed Mar. 25, 2019). The Company filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint. In May 2019, employees filed a class action against the Company alleging claims under California law for failure to pay overtime, to provide itemized wage statements, to timely pay wages due to terminating employees, to pay minimum wages, and for unfair business practices. Rough v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 2:19-cv-01340 E.D. Cal. filed May 28, 2019). Relief is sought under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys' fees. In June 2019, employees filed a class action against the Company alleging claims under California law for failure to pay overtime, to provide meal and rest periods, itemized wage statements, to timely pay wages due to terminating employees, to pay minimum wages, and for unfair business practices. Martinez v. Costco Wholesale Corp., (Case No. 3:19-cv-05624 N.D. Cal. filed June 11, 2019). The Company filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint. In August 2019, Rough filed a companion case in state court seeking penalties under the California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act. Rough v. Costco (Case No. FCS053454, Sonoma County Superior Court, filed August 23, 2019). Relief is sought under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys' fees. In September 2019, an employee re-filed a class action against the Company alleging claims under California law for failure to pay wages, to provide meal and rest periods and itemized wage statements, to timely pay wages due to terminating employees, to pay minimum wages, and for unfair business practices. Mosley v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 2:19-cv-07935, C.D. Cal. filed Sept. 12, 2019). Relief is sought under the California Labor Code, including civil penalties and attorneys' fees.

In December 2017, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases filed against various defendants by counties, cities, hospitals, Native American tribes, third-party payors, and others concerning the impacts of opioid abuse. In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804) (N.D. Ohio). Included are federal cases that name the Company, including actions filed by counties and cities in Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia and South Carolina, a third-party payor in Ohio, and class actions filed in thirty-eight states on behalf of infants born with opioid-related medical conditions. In 2019 similar actions were commenced against the Company in state courts in Utah and Arizona. Claims against the Company in state courts in New Jersey and Oklahoma have been dismissed. The Company is defending all of these matters.

17

The Company and its CEO and CFO are defendants in putative class actions brought on behalf of shareholders who acquired Company stock between June 6 and October 25, 2018. Johnson v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al. (W.D. Wash. filed Nov. 5, 2018); Chen v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al. (W.D. Wash. filed Dec. 11, 2018). The complaints allege violations of the federal securities laws stemming from the Company’s disclosures concerning internal control over financial reporting. They seek unspecified damages, equitable relief, interest, and costs and attorneys’ fees. On January 30, 2019, an order was entered consolidating the actions, and a consolidated amended complaint was filed on April 16. On November 26, the court entered an order dismissing the consolidated amended complaint and granting the plaintiffs leave to file a further amended complaint within 90 days.

Members of the Board of Directors, one other individual, and the Company are defendants in a shareholder derivative action related to the internal controls and related disclosures identified in the putative class actions, alleging that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties. Wedekind v. Hamilton James, Susan Decker, Kenneth Denman, Richard Galanti, Craig Jelinek, Richard Libenson, John Meisenbach, Charles Munger, Jeffrey Raikes, John Stanton, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, and Costco Wholesale Corp. (W.D. Wash. filed Dec. 11, 2018). The complaint seeks unspecified damages, disgorgement of compensation, corporate governance changes, and costs and attorneys' fees. Because the complaint is derivative in nature, it does not seek monetary damages from the Company, which is a nominal defendant. By agreement among the parties the action has been stayed pending further proceedings in the class actions. Similar actions were filed in King County Superior Court on February 20, 2019, Elliott v. Hamilton James, Susan Decker, Kenneth Denman, Richard Galanti, Craig Jelinek, Richard Libenson, John Meisenbach, Charles Munger, Jeffrey Raikes, John Stanton, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, and Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 19-2-04824-7), April 16, 2019, Brad Shuman, et ano. v. Hamilton James, Susan Decker, Kenneth Denman, Richard Galanti, Craig Jelinek, John Meisenbach, Charles Munger, Jeffrey Raikes, John Stanton, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, and Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 19-2-10460-1), and June 12, 2019, Rahul Modi v. Hamilton James, Susan Decker, Kenneth Denman, Richard Galanti, Craig Jelinek, John Meisenbach, Charles Munger, Jeffrey Raikes, John Stanton, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, and Costco Wholesale Corp. (Case No. 19-2-15514-1). These actions have also been stayed.

In November 2016 and September 2017, the Company received notices of violation from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding hazardous waste practices at its Connecticut warehouses, primarily concerning unsalable pharmaceuticals. The relief to be sought is not known at this time. The Company is seeking to cooperate concerning the resolution of these notices.

The Company does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual fiscal quarter or year.

18

Note 11—Segment Reporting
The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Japan, Korea, Australia, Spain, Iceland, France and China and through a majority-owned subsidiary in Taiwan. Reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which consider geographic locations. The material accounting policies of the segments are as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019 , and Note 1 above. Intersegment net sales and expenses have been eliminated in computing total revenue and operating income. Certain operating expenses, predominantly stock-based compensation, are incurred on behalf of the Company's Canadian and Other International operations, but are included in the U.S. operations because those costs generally come under the responsibility of the Company's U.S. management team.
The following table provides information for the Company's reportable segments:
 
United States
Operations
 
Canadian
Operations
 
Other
International
Operations
 
Total
12 Weeks Ended November 24, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
27,065

 
$
5,127

 
$
4,848

 
$
37,040

Operating income
635

 
228

 
198

 
1,061

Total assets
35,784

 
4,857

 
10,790

 
51,431

12 Weeks Ended November 25, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
25,550

 
$
4,977

 
$
4,542

 
$
35,069

Operating income
560

 
214

 
175

 
949

Total assets
30,499

 
4,673

 
8,642

 
43,814

52 Weeks Ended September 1, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
111,751

 
$
21,366

 
$
19,586

 
$
152,703

Operating income
3,063

 
924

 
750

 
4,737

Total assets
32,162

 
4,369

 
8,869

 
45,400


Disaggregated Revenue
The following table summarizes net sales by merchandise category:
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Foods and Sundries
$
14,532

 
$
13,641

Hardlines
5,843

 
5,840

Fresh Foods
4,576

 
4,293

Softlines
4,297

 
4,123

Ancillary
6,988

 
6,414

Total Net Sales
$
36,236

 
$
34,311



19

Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(amounts in millions, except per share, share, and warehouse count data)

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. They include statements that address activities, events, conditions or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future and may relate to such matters as sales growth, changes in comparable sales, cannibalization of existing locations by new openings, price or fee changes, earnings performance, earnings per share, stock-based compensation expense, warehouse openings and closures, capital spending, the effect of adopting certain accounting standards, future financial reporting, financing, margins, return on invested capital, strategic direction, expense controls, membership renewal rates, shopping frequency, litigation, and the demand for our products and services. Forward-looking statements may also be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, domestic and international economic conditions, including exchange rates, the effects of competition and regulation, uncertainties in the financial markets, consumer and small-business spending patterns and debt levels, breaches of security or privacy of member or business information, conditions affecting the acquisition, development, ownership or use of real estate, capital spending, actions of vendors, rising costs associated with employees (generally including health care costs), energy and certain commodities, geopolitical conditions (including tariffs), and other risks identified from time to time in our public statements and reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements, except as required by law.
This management discussion should be read in conjunction with the management discussion included in our fiscal 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, previously filed with the SEC.
OVERVIEW
We operate membership warehouses and e-commerce websites based on the concept that offering our members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. When combined with the operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing, efficient distribution and reduced handling of merchandise in no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities, these volumes and turnover enable us to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins (net sales less merchandise costs) than most other retailers.
We believe that the most important driver of our profitability is sales growth, particularly comparable sales growth. We define comparable sales as sales from warehouses open for more than one year, including remodels, relocations and expansions, and sales related to e-commerce websites operating for more than one year. Comparable sales growth is achieved through increasing shopping frequency from new and existing members and the amount they spend on each visit (average ticket). Sales comparisons can also be particularly influenced by certain factors that are beyond our control: fluctuations in currency exchange rates (with respect to the consolidation of the results of our international operations); and changes in the cost of gasoline and associated competitive conditions (primarily impacting our U.S. and Canadian operations). The higher our comparable sales exclusive of these items, the more we can leverage certain of our selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, reducing them as a percentage of sales and enhancing profitability. Generating comparable sales growth is foremost a question of making available to our members the right merchandise at the right prices, a skill that we believe we have repeatedly demonstrated over the long term. Another substantial factor in sales growth is the health of the economies in which we do business, including the effects of inflation or deflation, especially the United States. Sales growth and gross margins are also impacted by our competition, which is vigorous and widespread, across a wide range of global,

20

national and regional wholesalers and retailers, including those with e-commerce operations. While we cannot control or reliably predict general economic health or changes in competition, we believe that we have been successful historically in adapting our business to these changes, such as through adjustments to our pricing and merchandise mix, including increasing the penetration of our private-label items and through online offerings.
Our philosophy is to provide our members with quality goods and services at competitive prices. We do not focus in the short term on maximizing prices charged, but instead seek to maintain what we believe is a perception among our members of our “pricing authority” on quality goods– consistently providing the most competitive values. Our investments in merchandise pricing may include reducing prices on merchandise to drive sales or meet competition and holding prices steady despite cost increases instead of passing the increases on to our members, all negatively impacting gross margin as a percentage of net sales (gross margin percentage). We believe our gasoline business draws members, but it generally has a lower gross margin percentage relative to our non-gasoline business. It also has lower SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales compared to our non-gasoline business. A higher penetration of gasoline sales will generally lower our gross margin percentage. Rapidly changing gasoline prices may significantly impact our near-term net sales growth. Generally, rising gasoline prices benefit net sales growth which, given the higher sales base, negatively impacts our gross margin percentage but decreases our SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales. A decline in gasoline prices has the inverse effect. Additionally, actions in various countries, particularly China and the United States, have created uncertainty with respect to how tariffs will affect the costs of some of our merchandise. The degree of our exposure is dependent on (among other things) the type of goods, rates imposed, and timing of the tariffs. The impact to our net sales and gross margin will be influenced in part by our merchandising and pricing strategies in response to cost increases. While these potential impacts are uncertain, they could have an adverse impact on our results.
We also achieve sales growth by opening new warehouses. As our warehouse base grows, available and desirable sites become more difficult to secure, and square footage growth becomes a comparatively less substantial component of growth. The negative aspects of such growth, however, including lower initial operating profitability relative to existing warehouses and cannibalization of sales at existing warehouses when openings occur in existing markets, are continuing to decline in significance as they relate to the results of our total operations. Our rate of square footage growth is generally higher in foreign markets, due to the smaller base in those markets, and we expect that to continue. Our e-commerce business growth, domestically and internationally, has also increased our sales but it generally has a lower gross margin percentage relative to our warehouse business.
The membership format is an integral part of our business and has a significant effect on our profitability. This format is designed to reinforce member loyalty and provide continuing fee revenue. The extent to which we achieve growth in our membership base, increase the penetration of our Executive members, and sustain high renewal rates materially influences our profitability. Our paid membership growth rate may be adversely impacted when warehouse openings occur in existing markets as compared to new markets.
Our financial performance depends heavily on controlling costs. While we believe that we have achieved successes in this area, some significant costs are partially outside our control, particularly health care and utility expenses. With respect to the compensation of our employees, our philosophy is not to seek to minimize their wages and benefits. Rather, we believe that achieving our longer-term objectives of reducing employee turnover and enhancing employee satisfaction requires maintaining compensation levels that are better than the industry average for much of our workforce. This may cause us, for example, to absorb costs that other employers might seek to pass through to their workforces. Because our business operates on very low margins, modest changes in various items in the consolidated statements of income, particularly merchandise costs and selling, general and administrative expenses, can have substantial impacts on net income.

21

Our operating model is generally the same across our U.S., Canada, and Other International operating segments (see Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1, of this Report). Certain countries in the Other International segment have relatively higher rates of square footage growth, lower wages and benefits costs as a percentage of country sales, and/or less or no direct membership warehouse competition.
In discussions of our consolidated operating results, we refer to the impact of changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which are references to the differences between the foreign-exchange rates we use to convert the financial results of our international operations from local currencies into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. This impact of foreign-exchange rate changes is calculated based on the difference between the current period's currency exchange rates and that of the comparable prior period. The impact of changes in gasoline prices on net sales is calculated based on the difference between the current period's average price per gallon sold and that of the comparable prior period.
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to August 31. References to the first quarters of 2020 and 2019 relate to the 12-week fiscal quarters ended November 24, 2019, and November 25, 2018, respectively. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding. Unless otherwise noted, references to net income relate to net income attributable to Costco.
Highlights for the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019 include:
•
Net sales increased 6% to $36,236, driven by an increase in comparable sales of 4% and sales at 17 net new warehouses opened since the end of the first quarter of 2019;
•
Membership fee revenue increased 6% to $804, primarily due to sign-ups at existing and new warehouses;
•
Gross margin percentage increased 30 basis points, primarily due to our warehouse ancillary and other businesses and an adjustment in the first quarter of 2019 to our estimate of breakage on rewards earned under our co-branded credit card program;
•
SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 17 basis points, primarily due to operating costs related to warehouse, ancillary and other businesses and stock compensation;
•
The provision for income taxes in the first quarter of 2020 was positively impacted by a benefit related to stock compensation of $77, or $0.17 per diluted share compared to $59, or $0.13 in the first quarter of 2019. The first quarter of 2019 was also positively impacted by a benefit of $27, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act);
•
Net income increased 10% to $844, or $1.90 per diluted share, compared to $767, or $1.73 per diluted share in 2019; and
•
On October 18, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share, which was paid on November 15, 2019.


22

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Sales
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Net Sales
$
36,236

 
$
34,311

Changes in net sales
 
 
 
U.S
6
%
 
12
%
Canada
3
%
 
4
%
Other International
7
%
 
8
%
Total Company
6
%
 
10
%
Changes in comparable sales:
 
 
 
U.S
5
%
 
11
%
Canada
3
%
 
2
%
Other International
3
%
 
4
%
Total Company
4
%
 
9
%
Changes in comparable sales excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency and gasoline prices (1):
 
 
 
U.S
5
%
 
8
%
Canada
5
%
 
5
%
Other International
4
%
 
6
%
Total Company
5
%
 
7
%
 _______________
(1)
Excludes the impact of the revenue recognition standard for the period ended November 25, 2018.
Net Sales
Net sales increased $1,925 or 6%, during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. This increase was attributable to an increase in comparable sales of 4% in the first quarter of 2020, and sales at the 17 net new warehouses opened since the end of the first quarter of 2019.
During the first quarter of 2020, changes in gasoline prices negatively impacted net sales by $122, or 35 basis points, due to a 3% decrease in the average sales price per gallon. Foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar also negatively impacted net sales by approximately $103, or 30 basis points, compared to the first quarter of 2019, attributable to our Canadian and Other International operations.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales increased 4% in the first quarter of 2020 and were positively impacted by increases in shopping frequency and average ticket. Comparable sales for the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by cannibalization (established warehouses losing sales to our newly opened locations) and the shift in timing of the Thanksgiving holiday to the second quarter of 2020.

23

Membership Fees
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Membership fees
$
804

 
$
758

Membership fees as a percentage of net sales
2.22
%
 
2.21
%
Total paid members as of quarter end (000s)
54,700

 
52,200

Total cardholders as of quarter end (000s)
99,900

 
95,400

The increase of 6% in membership fees was primarily due to signups at existing and new warehouses. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar had a slight negative impact on membership fees. At the end of the first quarter of 2020, our member renewal rates were 91% in the U.S. and Canada and 88% worldwide.
Gross Margin
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Net sales
$
36,236

 
$
34,311

Less merchandise costs
32,233

 
30,623

Gross margin
$
4,003

 
$
3,688

Gross margin percentage
11.05
%
 
10.75
%
The gross margin of our core merchandise categories (food and sundries, hardlines, softlines, and fresh foods), when expressed as a percentage of core merchandise sales (rather than total net sales), increased four basis points, primarily due to increases in hardlines, softlines, and food and sundries partially offset by a decrease in fresh foods, which was driven primarily by initial operating losses from our new poultry processing plant. This measure eliminates the impact of changes in sales penetration and gross margins from our warehouse ancillary and other businesses.
Total gross margin percentage increased 30 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of gasoline price deflation on net sales, gross margin as a percentage of adjusted net sales was 11.01%, an increase of 26 basis points. This was primarily due to a 19 basis-point increase in our warehouse ancillary and other businesses and 13 basis points related to an adjustment in the first quarter of 2019 to our estimate of breakage on rewards earned under our co-branded credit card program. These increases were partially offset by a six basis-point decrease in our core merchandise categories.
Gross margin on a segment basis, when expressed as a percentage of the segment's own sales and excluding the impact of changes in gasoline prices on net sales (segment gross margin percentage), increased in our U.S. operations, primarily due to our warehouse ancillary and other businesses and the adjustment mentioned above, partially offset by decreases in our core merchandise categories. The segment gross margin percentage in our Canadian operations increased, primarily due to our warehouse ancillary and other businesses. The segment gross margin percentage in our Other International operations increased, primarily due to our core merchandise categories and our warehouse ancillary and other businesses, partially offset by increased spending by members under the Executive Membership 2% reward program.

24

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
SG&A expenses
$
3,732

 
$
3,475

SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales
10.30
%
 
10.13
%
SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 17 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of gasoline price deflation on net sales, SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted net sales was 10.26%, an increase of 13 basis points compared to the prior year. Operating costs related to warehouse ancillary and other businesses, which include e-commerce and travel, increased five basis points, primarily due to the wage increases and bonding leave benefits for U.S. and Canadian hourly employees effective in March 2019. Stock compensation was higher by four basis points, primarily due to accelerated vesting for long service. Central operating costs related to maintaining, upgrading and expanding our technology capabilities were higher by four basis points.
Preopening Expense
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Preopening expenses
$
14

 
$
22

Warehouse openings, including relocations
 
 
 
United States
3

 
6

Canada
1

 
2

Other International
0

 
0

Total warehouse openings, including relocations
4

 
8

 
Preopening expenses include startup costs related to new warehouses and relocations, developments in new international markets, new manufacturing and distribution facilities, and expansions at existing warehouses. Preopening expenses vary due to the number of warehouse openings, the timing of the openings relative to our quarter-end, whether the warehouse is owned or leased, and whether the opening is in an existing, new or international market. For the remainder of fiscal 2020, we expect to open 17 warehouses, including two relocations.
Interest Expense
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Interest expense
$
38

 
$
36

Interest expense is primarily related to Senior Notes.

25

Interest Income and Other, Net
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Interest income
$
32

 
$
21

Foreign-currency transaction gains, net
(4
)
 
(5
)
Other, net
7

 
6

Interest income and other, net
$
35

 
$
22

Interest income increased for the first quarter of 2020, due to higher average cash and investment balances and higher interest rates. Foreign-currency transaction gains, net, include the revaluation or settlement of monetary assets and liabilities by our Canadian and Other International operations and mark-to-market adjustments for forward foreign-exchange contracts. See Derivatives and Foreign Currency sections in Item 8, Note 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019.
Provision for Income Taxes
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Provision for income taxes
$
202

 
$
158

Effective tax rate
19.1
%
 
16.9
%
The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was favorably impacted by $77 due to excess tax benefits from stock compensation. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2019 was favorably impacted by discrete tax benefits of $59 related to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation and $27 related to the 2017 Tax Act.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following table summarizes our significant sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents:
 
12 Weeks Ended
 
November 24,
2019
 
November 25,
2018
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
2,102

 
$
2,177

Net cash used in investing activities
(630
)
 
(737
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(836
)
 
(700
)
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from warehouse operations, cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $10,020 and $9,444 at November 24, 2019, and September 1, 2019, respectively. Of these balances, unsettled credit and debit card receivables represented approximately $1,743 and $1,434 at November 24, 2019, and September 1, 2019, respectively. These receivables generally settle within four days. Cash and cash equivalents were positively impacted by a change in exchange rates of $7 and negatively impacted by a change of $17 in the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Management believes that our cash position and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We believe that our U.S. current and projected asset position is sufficient to meet our U.S. liquidity requirements. We no longer consider earnings after 2017 of our non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested.

26

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $2,102 in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $2,177 in the first quarter of 2019. Cash provided by operations is primarily derived from net sales and membership fees. Cash used in operations generally consists of payments to merchandise suppliers, warehouse operating costs, including payroll and employee benefits, utilities, and credit and debit card processing fees. Cash used in operations also includes payments for income taxes. Changes in our net investment in merchandise inventories (the difference between merchandise inventories and accounts payable) is impacted by several factors, including how fast inventory is sold, payment terms with our suppliers, the amount of early payments to obtain discounts from suppliers, and the shift in timing of the Thanksgiving holiday to the second quarter of 2020.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $630 in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $737 in the first quarter of 2019, and is primarily related to capital expenditures. Net cash from investing activities also includes purchases and maturities of short-term investments.
Capital Expenditure Plans
Our primary requirements for capital are acquiring land, buildings, and equipment for new and remodeled warehouses. Capital is also required for information systems, manufacturing and distribution facilities, initial warehouse operations, and working capital. In the first quarter of 2020, we spent $715 on capital expenditures, and it is our current intention to spend approximately $3,000 during fiscal 2020. We opened four new warehouses, including one relocation, in the first quarter of 2020 and plan to open 17 additional new warehouses, including two relocations, in the remainder of fiscal 2020. There can be no assurance that current expectations will be realized; plans are subject to change upon further review of our capital expenditure needs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $836 in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $700 in the first quarter of 2019. Cash flow used in financing activities was primarily related to the payment of dividends, withholding taxes on stock-based awards, and repurchases of common stock. Dividends totaling $573 were paid during the first quarter of 2020, of which $286 related to the dividend declared in August 2019. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on December 16, 2019, we paid the outstanding principal balance and associated interest on the 1.70% Senior Notes from cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Stock Repurchase Programs
During the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, we repurchased 100,000 and 150,000 shares of common stock, at an average price per share of $295.97 and $229.35, respectively, totaling approximately $30 and $34, respectively. These amounts may differ from the stock repurchase balances in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of a quarter. Purchases are made from time to time, as conditions warrant, in the open market or in block purchases, pursuant to plans under SEC Rule 10b5-1. Repurchased shares are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act.
Dividends
On October 18, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share payable to shareholders of record on November 1, 2019. The dividend was paid on November 15, 2019.

27

Bank Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Programs
We maintain bank credit facilities for working capital and general corporate purposes. At November 24, 2019, we had borrowing capacity under these facilities of $873, including a $400 revolving line of credit, which expires in June 2020. Our international operations maintain $360 of the borrowing capacity under bank credit facilities, of which $147 is guaranteed by the Company. There were no outstanding short-term borrowings under the bank credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of 2020 or at the end of 2019.
The Company has letter of credit facilities, for commercial and standby letters of credit, totaling $224. The outstanding commitments under these facilities at the end of the first quarter of 2020 totaled $150, most of which were standby letters of credit with expiration dates within one year. The bank credit facilities have various expiration dates, most of which are within one year, and we generally intend to renew these facilities. The amount of borrowings available at any time under our bank credit facilities is reduced by the amount of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding.
Contractual Obligations

As of the date of this Report, there were no material changes to our contractual obligations outside the ordinary course of business since the end of our last fiscal year.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires that we make estimates and judgments. We base these on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. Our critical accounting policies are discussed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in that Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See discussion of Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.
Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our direct exposure to financial market risk results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. There have been no material changes to our market risks as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019.
Item 4—Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of November 24, 2019, and based on their evaluation have concluded the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date.

28

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In the first quarter of 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-02 Leases (ASC 842) which required changes to certain of our business processes and internal controls over financial reporting.
There have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1—Legal Proceedings
See discussion of Legal Proceedings in Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.
Item 1A—Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended September 1, 2019. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2—Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table sets forth information on our common stock repurchase program activity for the first quarter of 2020 (amounts in millions, except share and per share data):    
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs(1)
 
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs(1)
September 2 — September 29, 2019
33,000

 
$
291.99

 
33,000

 
$
3,933

September 30 — October 27, 2019
34,000

 
295.38

 
34,000

 
3,923

October 28 — November 24, 2019
33,000

 
300.47

 
33,000

 
3,913

Total first quarter
100,000

 
$
295.97

 
100,000

 
 
 _______________
(1)
Our stock repurchase program is conducted under a $4,000 authorization approved by our Board of Directors in April 2019, which expires in April 2023.
Item 3—Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4—Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5—Other Information
None.

29

Item 6—Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or are incorporated herein by reference. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Filed
Herewith
 
Form
 
Period 
Ending
 
Filing Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1
 
 
 
 
10-Q
 
2/17/2019
 
3/13/2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
 
 
4/30/2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
 
 
10/21/2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
Inline XBRL Instance Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

30

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
 
 
December 18, 2019
By
 
/s/ W. CRAIG JELINEK
Date
 
 
W. Craig Jelinek
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2019
By
 
/s/ RICHARD A. GALANTI
Date
 
 
Richard A. Galanti
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director

31
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