Current Ratio
since 2005
Calculation
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, calculation
| Current ratio | = | Current assets1 | ÷ | Current liabilities1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | = | 38,380) | ÷ | 37,108) |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | = | 34,246) | ÷ | 35,464) |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | = | 35,879) | ÷ | 33,583) |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | = | 32,696) | ÷ | 31,998) |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | = | 29,505) | ÷ | 29,441) |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | = | 28,120) | ÷ | 24,844) |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | = | 23,485) | ÷ | 23,237) |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | = | 20,289) | ÷ | 19,926) |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | = | 17,317) | ÷ | 17,495) |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | = | 15,218) | ÷ | 15,575) |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | = | 17,299) | ÷ | 16,540) |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | = | 17,588) | ÷ | 14,412) |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | = | 15,840) | ÷ | 13,257) |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | = | 13,526) | ÷ | 12,260) |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | = | 13,706) | ÷ | 12,050) |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | = | 11,708) | ÷ | 10,063) |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | = | 10,337) | ÷ | 9,281) |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | = | 9,462) | ÷ | 8,874) |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | = | 9,324) | ÷ | 8,582) |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | = | 8,232) | ÷ | 7,819) |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | = | 8,086) | ÷ | 6,609) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
1 US$ in millions
- Trend in Current Assets
- The current assets have shown a consistent upward trend over the years. Starting at $8,086 million in 2005, the value increased steadily with occasional fluctuations and reached $38,380 million by 2025. This growth indicates an expansion in the company's liquid resources and inventories over the analyzed period.
- Trend in Current Liabilities
- Current liabilities have also increased steadily from $6,609 million in 2005 to $37,108 million by 2025. The rise in current liabilities corresponds with the growth in current assets, suggesting an expansion in short-term obligations consistent with the company's operational scale.
- Current Ratio Analysis
- The current ratio, calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities, fluctuated around the benchmark of 1.0 over the analyzed years. It started at 1.22 in 2005, declined to levels near or slightly below 1.0 in several subsequent years (notably 0.98 in 2016 and 0.97 in 2024), and rose marginally above 1.0 in others. This pattern suggests that the company's short-term liquidity position has generally remained stable but with limited liquidity cushion at times, implying careful management of working capital. The ratio staying close to 1 indicates that current assets are roughly sufficient to cover current liabilities without significant excess.
- Overall Financial Position Insights
- The parallel increase in both current assets and current liabilities reflects the growth in the company's scale of operations and possibly its reliance on short-term financing. The current ratio's relative stability around 1.0 indicates balanced management of liquidity with neither excessive conservatism nor apparent liquidity risk. Nonetheless, periods where the ratio dips below 1 could signal tighter liquidity conditions which may warrant closer monitoring.
Comparison to Competitors
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Target Corp. | Walmart Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | 0.94 | 0.82 |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.91 | 0.83 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.92 | 0.82 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.99 | 0.93 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 1.03 | 0.97 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.89 | 0.79 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.83 | 0.80 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.95 | 0.76 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 0.94 | 0.86 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 1.12 | 0.93 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.20 | 0.97 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.91 | 0.88 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 1.17 | 0.83 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 1.15 | 0.88 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 1.71 | 0.89 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.63 | 0.87 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.66 | 0.88 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 1.60 | 0.81 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 1.32 | 0.90 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.50 | 0.90 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 1.69 | 0.90 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Sector (Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail)
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to sector (consumer staples distribution & retail)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | — |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.87 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.89 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.96 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 0.99 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.88 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.85 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.83 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 0.90 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 0.97 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.01 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.94 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 0.93 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 0.96 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 1.03 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.02 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.02 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 0.96 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 0.99 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.00 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 1.05 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).
Comparison to Industry (Consumer Staples)
Costco Wholesale Corp., current ratio, long-term trends, comparison to industry (consumer staples)
| Costco Wholesale Corp. | Consumer Staples | |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2025 | 1.03 | — |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 0.97 | 0.85 |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 1.07 | 0.84 |
| Aug 28, 2022 | 1.02 | 0.87 |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 1.00 | 0.93 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | 1.13 | 0.92 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 1.01 | 0.82 |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 1.02 | 0.87 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 0.99 | 1.02 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | 0.98 | 1.04 |
| Aug 30, 2015 | 1.05 | 1.06 |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 1.22 | 0.97 |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 1.19 | 0.97 |
| Sep 2, 2012 | 1.10 | 0.99 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | 1.14 | 0.97 |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 1.16 | 1.01 |
| Aug 30, 2009 | 1.11 | 1.03 |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 1.07 | 0.98 |
| Sep 2, 2007 | 1.09 | 0.91 |
| Sep 3, 2006 | 1.05 | 1.04 |
| Aug 28, 2005 | 1.22 | 0.99 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-08-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-08-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-08-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-08-28).