Financial analysis of Costco wholesale corporation: exploring the strengths and weaknesses.

Abstract

The financial analysis of any organization is regarded as one of the main prerequisites for the successful management of financial resources. The study aims to identify the financial strengths and weaknesses of Costco Wholesale Corporation, based on a detailed financial analysis. The study used the quantitative method using secondary sources of data, such as Costco’s website and annual reports, various financial websites, journal research papers, and book chapters. Based on the Costco’s financial statement on August 31, 2019, the study performed ratio analysis, forecasting free cash flow (FCF) for the next five years (from August 2020 to August 2024), calculating the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), measuring the market value and fundamental value to determine the exact financial performance of Costco. The financial strengths were found at the Costco’s debt to equity ratio, return on assets ratio, return on equity ratio, return on capital employed ratio, interest coverage ratio, days sales outstanding ratio, days in inventory ratio, receivables turnover ratio, inventory turnover ratio, and asset turnover ratio and the financial weaknesses were found at the Costco’s current ratio, quick ratio, gross margin ratio, operating margin ratio, and cash conversion cycle ratio. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was calculated 12.16% and, thereby forecasts of FCF suspect to increase in the coming years. The WACC of Costco was calculated 4.76% and found satisfactory. The market value of Costco was found significantly lower compared to its competitor like Walmart Stores Inc. The findings suggest that Costco’s policymakers should concentrate on overcoming the existing financial weaknesses and sustaining the current financial strengths by taking precise initiatives.