Costco Wholesale SG&A decreased by 1.0% to $6.27B in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 10.8%, from $5.66B to $6.27B. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), SG&A shows an upward trend with a 7.7% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026
How to read this metric
A rising ratio of SG&A to revenue may indicate inefficiency or aggressive expansion, while a falling ratio suggests improved operating leverage.
Detailed definition
Selling, general, and administrative expenses encompass the costs associated with the day-to-day operation of the busine...
Peer comparison
Standard operating expense category; peers with larger global sales forces typically show higher absolute SG&A levels.
Metric ID:
selling_general_and_administrativeHistorical Data
20 periods
| Q1 '21 | Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $4.20B | $5.67B | $4.72B | $4.58B | $4.45B | $6.04B | $4.92B | $4.94B | $4.79B | $6.94B | $5.36B | $5.24B | $5.15B | $7.07B | $5.85B | $5.66B | $5.68B | $7.78B | $6.33B | $6.27B |
| QoQ Change | — | +35.0% | -16.7% | -3.0% | -2.7% | +35.6% | -18.5% | +0.5% | -3.0% | +44.7% | -22.8% | -2.2% | -1.8% | +37.4% | -17.3% | -3.1% | +0.3% | +37.0% | -18.6% | -1.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +6.0% | +6.5% | +4.2% | +8.0% | +7.7% | +15.0% | +9.0% | +6.1% | +7.3% | +1.8% | +9.1% | +8.1% | +10.4% | +10.1% | +8.3% | +10.8% |
Range$4.20B – $7.78B
CAGR+8.8%
Avg YoY Growth+8.0%
Median YoY Growth+8.0%
Current Streak2 quarters decline
SG&A at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Costco Wholesale's sg&a?
- Costco Wholesale (COST) reported sg&a of $6.27B in Q4 2025.
- How has Costco Wholesale's sg&a changed year-over-year?
- Costco Wholesale's sg&a increased by 10.8% year-over-year, from $5.66B to $6.27B.
- What is the long-term trend for Costco Wholesale's sg&a?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Costco Wholesale's sg&a has grown at a 7.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $18.54B to $24.97B.
- What does sg&a mean?
- The overhead costs of running the business, including sales, marketing, and general corporate expenses.