COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW Form 10-Q Quarterly Report Filed 2013-03-20

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended February 17, 2013

¨	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 office)

(Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (425) 313-8100

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 x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller company)		Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) YES ¨ NO x

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of March 13, 2013 was 436,371,394

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q


		Page
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	30
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	30
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	30
Item 5.	Other Information	30
Item 6.	Exhibits	30
	Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13(a) - 14(a) Certifications
	Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certifications
Signatures		31

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1—Financial Statements

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions, except par value and share data)

(unaudited)


	February 17, 2013			September 2, 2012
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,413		$	3,528
Short-term investments		1,238			1,326
Receivables, net		1,300			1,026
Merchandise inventories		7,582			7,096
Deferred income taxes and other current assets		577			550

Total current assets		15,110			13,526

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land		4,236			4,032
Buildings and improvements		11,196			10,879
Equipment and fixtures		4,451			4,261
Construction in progress		436			374

		20,319			19,546
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(6,933	)		(6,585	)

Net property and equipment		13,386			12,961

OTHER ASSETS		593			653

TOTAL ASSETS	$	29,089		$	27,140

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Short-term borrowings	$	64		$	0
Accounts payable		7,441			7,303
Accrued salaries and benefits		2,077			1,832
Accrued member rewards		694			661
Accrued sales and other taxes		415			397
Deferred membership fees		1,199			1,101
Other current liabilities		1,155			966

Total current liabilities		13,045			12,260
LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion		4,806			1,381
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES		955			981

Total liabilities		18,806			14,622

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EQUITY
Preferred stock $.005 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		0			0
Common stock $.005 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 436,336,000 and 432,350,000 shares issued and outstanding		2			2
Additional paid-in capital		4,521			4,369
Accumulated other comprehensive income		111			156
Retained earnings		5,478			7,834

Total Costco stockholders’ equity		10,112			12,361
Noncontrolling interests		171			157

Total equity		10,283			12,518

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	29,089		$	27,140

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

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
REVENUE
Net sales	$	24,343		$	22,508		$	47,547		$	43,689
Membership fees		528			459			1,039			906

Total revenue		24,871			22,967			48,586			44,595
OPERATING EXPENSES
Merchandise costs		21,766			20,139			42,492			39,070
Selling, general and administrative		2,361			2,178			4,693			4,322
Preopening expenses		6			6			24			16

Operating income		738			644			1,377			1,187
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense		(25	)		(27	)		(38	)		(54	)
Interest income and other, net		26			10			46			47

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		739			627			1,385			1,180
Provision for income taxes		185			215			410			440

Net income including noncontrolling interests		554			412			975			740
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(7	)		(18	)		(12	)		(26	)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO	$	547		$	394		$	963		$	714

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO:
Basic	$	1.26		$	0.91		$	2.22		$	1.64

Diluted	$	1.24		$	0.90		$	2.19		$	1.62

Shares used in calculation (000’s)
Basic		435,975			434,535			434,698			434,374
Diluted		439,812			439,468			439,222			440,036
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$	7.275		$	0.240		$	7.550		$	0.480

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

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)


	12 Weeks Ended					24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012		February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	$	554		$	412	$	975		$	740
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net		(65	)		132		(43	)		(77	)

Comprehensive income		489			544		932			663
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		4			49		14			16

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO	$	485		$	495	$	918		$	647

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

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)


	24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	975		$	740
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		430			414
Stock-based compensation		159			134
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards		(51	)		(40	)
Other non-cash operating activities, net		(12	)		19
Deferred income taxes		33			(7	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in merchandise inventories		(522	)		(327	)
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable		237			(75	)
Other operating assets and liabilities, net		276			386

Net cash provided by operating activities		1,525			1,244

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of short-term investments		(1,116	)		(869	)
Maturities of short-term investments		1,073			867
Sales of investments		120			191
Additions to property and equipment		(943	)		(632	)
Other investing activities, net		11			(9	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(855	)		(452	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in bank checks outstanding		(63	)		(77	)
Repayments of short-term borrowings		(110	)		(117	)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		183			117
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		3,496			129
Distribution to noncontrolling interests		(22	)		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		35			39
Minimum tax withholdings on stock-based awards		(117	)		(104	)
Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards		51			40
Repurchases of common stock		(36	)		(312	)
Cash dividend payments		(3,169	)		(105	)
Other financing activities, net		(13	)		(2	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		235			(392	)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(20	)		(20	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		885			380
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS BEGINNING OF YEAR		3,528			4,009

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS END OF PERIOD	$	4,413		$	4,389

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the first half of year for:
Interest (reduced by $8 and $4 interest capitalized in 2013 and 2012, respectively)	$	31		$	56
Income taxes	$	428		$	363
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Unsettled repurchases of common stock	$	0		$	6
Decrease in accrued property and equipment	$	(12	)	$	(66	)
Property acquired under capital lease	$	11		$	0
Common stock issued upon conversion of 3.5% Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes	$	29		$	1
Cash dividend declared, but not yet paid	$	120		$	104

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

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in millions, except share data)

(unaudited)

Note 1—Summary of Significant Policies

Description of Business

Costco Wholesale Corporation and its subsidiaries operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and select private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. At February 17, 2013, Costco operated 622 warehouses worldwide: 448 United States (U.S.) locations (in 41 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico), 85 Canadian locations, 32 Mexico locations, 23 United Kingdom (U.K.) locations, 13 Japan locations, 9 Taiwan locations, 9 Korea locations, and 3 Australia locations. The Company also operates online businesses at costco.com in the U.S, costco.ca in Canada, and costco.co.uk in the U.K.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco Wholesale Corporation, a Washington corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, consolidated entities in which it has made equity investments, or has other interests through which it has majority-voting control or it exercises the right to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s performance (Costco or the Company). The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material inter-company transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. In July 2012, Costco purchased its former joint venture partner’s 50% equity interest in Costco Mexico. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests in its operations in Mexico prior to the July 2012 acquisition of the 50% noncontrolling interest, Taiwan, and Korea. After the acquisition date, 100% of Mexico’s operations are included in “net income attributable to Costco.” 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 (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 2, 2012.

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. References to the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twelve week fiscal quarters ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, respectively. References to the first half of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, 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 con-

Note 1—Summary of Significant Policies (Continued)

tingent 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.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates. See Notes 2, 3, and 4 for the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments, derivative instruments, and fixed-rate debt, respectively.

The Company accounts for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying a fair value hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs are:


Level 1:		Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:		Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3:		Significant unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company’s current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums. There have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 2, 2012.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined primarily by the retail inventory method, and are stated using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all U.S. merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories for all foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail inventory method and are stated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company believes the LIFO method more fairly presents the results of operations by more closely matching current costs with current revenues. The Company records an adjustment each quarter, if necessary, for the projected annual effect of inflation or deflation, and these estimates are adjusted to actual results determined at year-end, when actual inflation rates and inventory levels have been determined.

Due to overall deflationary trends in the second quarter and first half of 2013, a benefit of $9 and $11 was recorded to merchandise costs, respectively, to reduce the cumulative LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories. Due to overall net inflationary trends, a charge to merchandise costs of $3 was recorded in the second quarter and first half of 2012. At February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, the cumulative impact of the LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories was $97 and $108, respectively.

Derivatives

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts,

Note 1—Summary of Significant Policies (Continued)

seeking to economically hedge the impact of fluctuations of foreign exchange on known future expenditures denominated in a non-functional foreign-currency. The contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. The aggregate notional amounts of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were $275 and $284 at February 17, 2013 and September 2, 2012, respectively.

The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 3 for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of February 12, 2013, and September 2, 2012.

The unrealized gains or losses recognized in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income relating to the net changes in the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial in the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012.

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in prices for the energy it consumes, particularly electricity and natural gas, which it seeks to partially mitigate through the use of fixed-price contracts for certain of its warehouses and other facilities, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also enters into variable-priced contracts for some purchases of natural gas, in addition to fuel for its gas stations, on an index basis. These contracts meet the characteristics of derivative instruments, but generally qualify for the “normal purchases or normal sales” exception under authoritative guidance and thus require no mark-to-market adjustment.

Foreign Currency

The Company recognizes foreign-currency transaction gains and losses related to revaluing all monetary assets and revaluing or settling monetary liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Generally, this includes the U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents and the U.S. dollar payables of consolidated subsidiaries to their functional currency. Also included are realized foreign-currency gains or losses from all settlements of forward foreign-exchange contracts. These items resulted in a net gain of $6 and $15 in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, as compared to a net gain of $3 and $23 in the second quarter and first half of 2012, respectively.

Stock Repurchase Programs

Repurchased shares of common stock are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act. The par value of repurchased shares is deducted from common stock and the excess of repurchase price over par value is deducted from additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. See Note 5 for additional information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity is required to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or to present the information in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013.

Note 1—Summary of Significant Policies (Continued)

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend and simplify the rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The revised guidance allows an initial qualitative evaluation, based on the entity’s events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The results of this qualitative assessment determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required two-step impairment test. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013. Adoption of this guidance had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance to provide enhanced disclosures related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. An entity will be required to disclose the net income line items impacted by significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item is reclassified in its entirety. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company plans to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Note 2—Investments

The Company’s major categories of investments have not changed from the annual reporting period ended September 2, 2012. The Company’s investments at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, were as follows:


February 17, 2013:	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Recorded Basis
Available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency securities	$	667	$	4	$	671
Corporate notes and bonds		10		0		10
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		6		0		6

Total available-for-sale		683		4		687
Held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit		551				551

Total short-term investments	$	1,234	$	4	$	1,238


September 2, 2012:	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Recorded Basis
Available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency securities	$	776	$	6	$	782
Corporate notes and bonds		54		0		54
FDIC-insured corporate bonds		35		0		35
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		8		0		8

Total available-for-sale		873		6		879
Held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit		447				447

Total short-term investments	$	1,320	$	6	$	1,326

Note 2—Investments (Continued)

As of February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, the Company’s available-for-sale securities that were in continuous unrealized-loss positions were not material. Gross unrealized gains and losses on cash equivalents were not material at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012.

The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:


	12 Weeks Ended				24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012		February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Proceeds	$	59	$	96	$	120	$	191

Gross realized gains or losses from sales of available-for-sale securities during the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012 were not material.

The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at February 17, 2013, were as follows:


	Available-For-Sale				Held-To- Maturity
	Cost Basis		Fair Value		Held-To- Maturity
Due in one year or less	$	425	$	425	$	551
Due after one year through five years		255		260		0
Due after five years		3		2		0

	$	683	$	687	$	551

Note 3—Fair Value Measurement

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The tables below present information as of February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, respectively, regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial 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 such fair value. As of February 17, 2013, the Company did not hold any Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 2, 2012, the Company’s holdings of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities were immaterial.


February 17, 2013:	Level 1		Level 2
Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾	$	87	$	0
Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽²⁾		0		686
Investment in corporate notes and bonds		0		10
Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities		0		6
Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾		0		5
Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾		0		(1	)

Total	$	87	$	706


September 2, 2012:	Level 1		Level 2
Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾	$	77	$	0
Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽² ⁾		0		794
Investment in corporate notes and bonds		0		54
Investment in FDIC-insured corporate bonds		0		35
Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities		0		8
Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾		0		1
Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾		0		(3	)

Total	$	77	$	889

⁽¹⁾	Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽²⁾

On February 17, 2013, $15 and $671 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. On September 2, 2012, $12 and $782 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽³⁾	The asset and the liability values are included in deferred income taxes and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1 for additional information on derivative instruments.

There were no financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the second quarter and first half of 2013, and they were immaterial during the second quarter and first half of 2012. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 during the second quarter and first half of 2013 and 2012.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include held-to-maturity investments that are carried at amortized cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. There were no fair value adjustments to these financial assets during the second quarter and first half of 2013 and 2012.

Note 3—Fair Value Measurement (Continued)

Nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as long-lived assets that are measured at fair value resulting from an impairment, if deemed necessary. There were no fair value adjustments to these nonfinancial assets and liabilities during the second quarter and first half of 2013. In the second quarter and first half of 2012, these adjustments were immaterial.

Note 4—Debt

The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:


	February 17, 2013				September 2, 2012
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017	$	1,098	$	1,291	$	1,097	$	1,325
0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015		1,199		1,204		0		0
1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017		1,100		1,100		0		0
1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019		1,197		1,191		0		0
Other long-term debt		213		224		285		338

Total long-term debt		4,807		5,010		1,382		1,663
Less current portion		1		1		1		1

Long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	4,806	$	5,009	$	1,381	$	1,662

The current portion of long-term debt is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was based primarily on reported market values, recently completed market transactions and estimates based upon interest rates, maturities, and credit. Substantially all of the Company’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2.

On December 7, 2012, the Company issued $3,500 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes as follows:

•

$1,200 of 0.65% Senior Notes due December 7, 2015. Interest is due semi-annually on June 7 and December 7, with the first payment due on June 7, 2013;

•

$1,100 of 1.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2017. Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013; and

•

$1,200 of 1.7% Senior Notes due December 15, 2019. Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013.

Note 5—Equity and Comprehensive Income

Dividends

The Company’s current quarterly dividend rate is $0.275 per share, compared to $0.24 per share in the second quarter of 2012. On November 28, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend on Costco common stock of $7.00 per share, which was paid on December 18, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 10, 2012. The aggregate payment was approximately $3,049.

Stock Repurchase Programs

There was no stock repurchase activity in the second quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2012, we repurchased 1,759,000 shares, at an average price of $82.20, totaling $145. In the first half of 2013 and 2012, we repurchased 357,000 shares and 3,881,000 shares, at an average price of $96.41 and $81.84, for a total expenditure of $34 and $318, respectively. The remaining amount available to be purchased under our approved plan was $3,055 at February 17, 2013. These amounts differ from the

Note 5—Equity and Comprehensive Income (Continued)

stock repurchase balances in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of the quarter. 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. Repurchased shares are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act.

Components of Equity and Comprehensive Income

The following tables show the changes in equity attributable to Costco and the noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest, but not a total ownership interest:


	Attributable to Costco			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Equity at September 2, 2012	$	12,361		$	157		$	12,518
Comprehensive income:
Net income		963			12			975
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net		(45	)		2			(43	)

Comprehensive income		918			14			932
Stock-based compensation		159			0			159
Stock options exercised, including tax effects		51			0			51
Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects		(83	)		0			(83	)
Conversion of convertible notes		29			0			29
Repurchases of common stock		(34	)		0			(34	)
Cash dividends declared		(3,289	)		0			(3,289	)

Equity at February 17, 2013	$	10,112		$	171		$	10,283


	Attributable to Costco			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Equity at August 28, 2011	$	12,002		$	571		$	12,573
Comprehensive income:
Net income		714			26			740
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net		(67	)		(10	)		(77	)

Comprehensive income		647			16			663
Stock-based compensation		134			0			134
Stock options exercised, including tax effects		49			0			49
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects		(74	)		0			(74	)
Conversion of convertible notes		1			0			1
Repurchases of common stock		(318	)		0			(318	)
Cash dividends declared		(209	)		0			(209	)

Equity at February 12, 2012	$	12,232		$	587		$	12,819

Note 6—Stock-Based Compensation Plans

In the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Fifth Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan was amended following shareholder approval and is now referred to as the Sixth Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (Sixth Plan). The Sixth Plan initially authorized the issuance of 16,000,000 shares (9,143,000 RSUs) of common stock for future grants in addition to shares authorized under the previous plan. Each RSU issued is counted as 1.75 shares toward the limit of shares available. The Company issues new shares

Note 6—Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Continued)

of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs. RSUs are settled in shares and delivered to participants annually, net of shares equal to the minimum statutory withholding taxes.

As required by the Company’s Sixth Plan, in conjunction with the special cash dividend discussed in Note 5, adjustments were made to awards outstanding on the dividend record date to preserve their value following the special cash dividend, as follows: (i) the number of shares subject to outstanding RSUs was increased; and (ii) the exercise prices of outstanding stock options were reduced and the number of shares subject to such options was increased. The number of outstanding stock options and RSUs was increased by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by a factor of 1.0763, representing the ratio of the NASDAQ closing price of $105.95 on December 5, 2012, which was the last trading day immediately prior to the ex-dividend date, to the NASDAQ opening price of $98.44 on the ex-dividend date, December 6, 2012. The exercise prices of stock options were reduced by multiplying the prices by a factor of 0.9291, representing the ratio of the NASDAQ opening price on the ex-dividend date to the NASDAQ closing price on December 5. Approximately 2,905,000 stock options were adjusted, and approximately 9,676,000 RSUs were adjusted. These adjustments did not result in additional share-based compensation expense, as the fair value of the outstanding awards immediately following the payment of the special cash dividend was equal to the fair value immediately prior to such distribution. As further required by the Sixth Plan, the maximum number of shares issuable under the Sixth Plan was proportionally adjusted based on the 1.0763 ratio described above. This resulted in an additional 778,000 shares available to be granted.

Summary of Stock Option Activity

All outstanding stock options were fully vested and exercisable as of February 17, 2013 and September 2, 2012. The following table summarizes stock option transactions during the first half of 2013:


	Number Of Options (in 000’s)			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value⁽¹⁾
Outstanding at September 2, 2012		3,161		$	40.90
Exercised		(1,008	)		35.75
Special cash dividend		221			N/A

Outstanding at February 17, 2013		2,374		$	39.27		1.84	$	149

⁽¹⁾	The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock at February 17, 2013.

The tax benefits realized, derived from the compensation deductions resulting from option exercises, and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:


	24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Actual tax benefit realized for stock options exercised	$	23	$	15
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised ⁽¹⁾	$	64	$	42

⁽¹⁾	The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date.

Note 6—Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Continued)

Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity

At February 17, 2013, 11,059,000 shares were available to be granted as RSUs under the Sixth Plan.

The following awards were outstanding at the end of the first half of 2013:

•

9,539,000 time-based RSUs that vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time;

•

408,000 performance-based RSUs granted to certain executive officers of the Company for which the performance targets have been met. Further restrictions lapse upon achievement of continued employment over specified periods of time; and

•

350,000 performance-based RSUs to be granted to executive officers of the Company upon achievement of specified performance targets for fiscal 2013, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors after the end of the fiscal year. These awards are included in the table below and the Company recognized compensation expense for these awards as it is currently deemed probable that the performance targets will be achieved.

The following table summarizes RSU transactions during the first half of 2013:


	Number of Units (in 000’s)			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at September 2, 2012		9,260		$	66.14
Granted		4,192			90.99
Vested and delivered		(3,759	)		67.34
Forfeited		(128	)		74.05
Special cash dividend		732			N/A

Non-vested at February 17, 2013		10,297		$	73.26

The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs at Februray 17, 2013, was $638 and the weighted-average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 1.85 years.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits under the Company’s plans:


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
Total stock-based compensation expense before income taxes	$	66		$	58		$	159		$	134
Less recognized income tax benefit		(22	)		(19	)		(53	)		(44	)

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes	$	44		$	39		$	106		$	90

Note 7—Income Taxes

The Company’s reported effective income tax rates for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, were 25.1% and 29.6%, respectively, compared to 34.2% and 37.3% for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2012, respectively, in the accompanying condensed con-

Note 7—Income Taxes (Continued)

solidated statements of income, which includes the net impact of discrete tax items. The Company’s current year effective tax rate was favorably impacted by discrete tax benefits of $72, primarily due to a $62 tax benefit in connection with the special cash dividend of $7 per share paid by the Company to employees, who through the Company’s 401(k) Retirement Plan, owned 22,600,000 shares of Company stock, through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Dividends paid on these shares are deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first half of 2012 was adversely impacted by a net discrete expense of $26 relating primarily to the adverse impact of an audit of Costco Mexico by the Mexican tax authority and the tax effects of nondeductible expenses for the Company’s contributions to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.

Note 8—Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share

The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the effect on net income and the weighted average number of shares of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000’s):


	12 Weeks Ended				24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012		February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Net income available to common stockholders used in basic and diluted net income per common share	$	547	$	394	$	963	$	714

Weighted average number of common shares used in basic net income per common share		435,975		434,535		434,698		434,374
RSUs and stock options		3,775		4,094		4,086		4,801
Conversion of convertible notes		62		839		438		861

Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential of common stock used in diluted net income per share		439,812		439,468		439,222		440,036

Anti-dilutive RSUs		0		6		0		4

Note 9—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. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. 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. As of the date of this report, the Company has not recorded an accrual with respect to any matter described below. In each case, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred. The possible loss or range of loss cannot in our view, however, 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.

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

The Company is a defendant in the following matters, among others:

A case brought as a class action on behalf of certain present and former female managers, in which plaintiffs allege denial of promotion based on gender in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California state law. Shirley “Rae” Ellis v. Costco Wholesale Corp., United States District Court (San Francisco), Case No. C-04-3341-MHP. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, interest and attorneys’ fees. Class certification was granted by the district court on January 11, 2007. On September 16, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the order of class certification and remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On September 25, 2012, the district court certified a class of women in the United States denied promotion to warehouse general manager or assistant general manager since January 3, 2002. Currently the class is believed to be approximately 1,250 people. A trial has been set for January 2014.

Numerous putative class actions have been brought around the United States against motor fuel retailers, including the Company, alleging that they have been overcharging consumers by selling gasoline or diesel that is warmer than 60 degrees without adjusting the volume sold to compensate for heat-related expansion or disclosing the effect of such expansion on the energy equivalent received by the consumer. The Company is named in the following actions: Raphael Sagalyn, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-430 (D. Md.); Phyllis Lerner, et al., v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, et al., Case No. 07-1216 (C.D. Cal.); Linda A. Williams, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-179 (M.D. Ala.); James Graham, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 07-193 (E.D. Va.); Betty A. Delgado, et al., v. Allsups, Convenience Stores, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-202 (D.N.M.); Gary Kohut, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-285 (D. Nev.); Mark Rushing, et al., v. Alon USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-7621 (N.D. Cal.); James Vanderbilt, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-1052 (W.D. Mo.); Zachary Wilson, et al., v. Ampride, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-2582 (D. Kan.); Diane Foster, et al., v. BP North America Petroleum, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-02059 (W.D. Tenn.); Mara Redstone, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-20751 (S.D. Fla.); Fred Aguirre, et al. v. BP West Coast Products LLC, et al., Case No. 07-1534 (N.D. Cal.); J.C. Wash, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 4:07cv37 (E.D. Mo.); Jonathan Charles Conlin, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07 0317 (M.D. Tenn.); William Barker, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07-cv-00293 (D.N.M.); Melissa J. Couch, et al. v. BP Products North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07cv291 (E.D. Tex.); S. Garrett Cook, Jr., et al., v. Hess Corporation, et al., Case No. 07cv750 (M.D. Ala.); Jeff Jenkins, et al. v. Amoco Oil Company, et al., Case No. 07-cv-00661 (D. Utah); and Mark Wyatt, et al., v. B. P. America Corp., et al., Case No. 07-1754 (S.D. Cal.). On June 18, 2007, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned the action, entitled In re Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation, MDL Docket No 1840, to Judge Kathryn Vratil in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. On April 12, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the actions in which it is named as a defendant. Under the settlement, the Company agreed, to the extent allowed by law, to install over five years from the effective date of the settlement temperature-correcting dispensers in the States of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Other than payments to class representatives, the settlement does not provide for cash payments to class members. On September 22, 2011, the court preliminarily approved a revised settlement, which did not materially alter the terms. On April 24, 2012, the court granted final approval of the revised settlement. A class member who objected has filed a notice of appeal from the order approving the settlement. Plaintiffs have moved for an award of $10 million in attorneys’ fees, as well as an award of costs and payments to class representatives. The Company has opposed the motion.

On October 4, 2006, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, seeking records relating to the Company’s receipt and handling of hazardous merchandise returned by Costco members and other records. The Company has entered into a tolling agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office.

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Information Request to the Company, dated November 1, 2007, regarding warehouses in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada and relating to compliance with regulations concerning air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. On March 4, 2009, the Company was advised by the Department of Justice that the Department was prepared to allege that the Company has committed at least nineteen violations of the leak-repair requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.156(i) and at least seventy-four violations of the recordkeeping requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.166(k), (m) at warehouses in these states. The Company has responded to these allegations, is engaged in communications with the Department about these and additional allegations, and has entered into tolling agreements. Substantial penalties may be levied for violations of the Clean Air Act. The Company is cooperating with this inquiry.

On October 7, 2009, the District Attorneys for San Diego, San Joaquin and Solano Counties filed a complaint, People of the State of California v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al, No. 37-2009-00099912 (Superior Court for the County of San Diego), alleging on information and belief that the Company has violated and continues to violate provisions of the California Health and Safety Code and the Business and Professions Code through the use of certain spill clean-up materials at its gasoline stations. Relief sought includes, among other things, requests for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs and attorneys’ fees.

The Company has received notices from most states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking the turnover of unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties, costs of examinations, and other relief.

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; 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.

Note 10—Segment Reporting

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and through majority-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea. The Company’s reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which considers geographic locations. The material accounting policies of the segments are the same 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 2, 2012, and Note 1 above. All material inter-segment 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 are not allocated internally and generally come under the responsibility of the Company’s U.S. management team.


	United States Operations		Canadian Operations		Other International Operations		Total
Twelve Weeks Ended February 17, 2013
Total revenue	$	17,794	$	4,002	$	3,075	$	24,871
Operating income		453		156		129		738
Depreciation and amortization		160		28		29		217
Additions to property and equipment		205		37		213		455
Twelve Weeks Ended February 12, 2012
Total revenue	$	16,611	$	3,562	$	2,794	$	22,967
Operating income		373		144		127		644
Depreciation and amortization		156		28		25		209
Additions to property and equipment		207		33		49		289
Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 17, 2013
Total revenue	$	34,712	$	7,891		$5,983	$	48,586
Operating income		796		332		249		1,377
Depreciation and amortization		315		56		59		430
Additions to property and equipment		510		92		341		943
Net property and equipment		9,422		1,665		2,299		13,386
Total assets		20,105		4,301		4,683		29,089
Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 12, 2012
Total revenue	$	32,225	$	7,003	$	5,367	$	44,595
Operating income		690		279		218		1,187
Depreciation and amortization		310		54		50		414
Additions to property and equipment		432		87		113		632
Net property and equipment		8,958		1,618		1,943		12,519
Total assets		19,110		3,832		4,569		27,511
Year Ended September 2, 2012
Total revenue	$	71,776	$	15,717	$	11,644	$	99,137
Operating income		1,632		668		459		2,759
Depreciation and amortization		667		117		124		908
Additions to property and equipment		1,012		170		298		1,480
Net property and equipment		9,236		1,664		2,061		12,961
Total assets		18,401		4,237		4,502		27,140

Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number 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, increases in comparable store 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, 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 impact and the demand for our products and services. Forward-looking statements may also be identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. 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, conditions affecting the acquisition, development, ownership or use of real estate, actions of vendors, rising costs associated with employees (including health care costs), energy and certain commodities, geopolitical conditions, and other risks identified from time to time in the Company’s 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 forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

This management discussion should be read in conjunction with the management discussion included in our fiscal 2012 annual report on Form 10-K, previously filed with the SEC.

OVERVIEW

We operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering our members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and select private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. This 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, enables us to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins than traditional wholesalers, mass merchandisers, supermarkets, and supercenters.

We believe that the most important driver of increasing our profitability is sales growth, particularly comparable sales growth (we report comparable sales as sales in warehouses open for at least one year, including relocations, remodels, and expansions). Comparable sales growth is achieved through increasing the frequency with which our members shop and the amounts that they spend on each visit. Sales comparisons can also be particularly influenced by two factors that are beyond our control, including 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 domestic operations). The higher our comparable sales exclusive of currency fluctuations, the more we can leverage certain of our selling, general and administrative 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

Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued) (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data)

factor in sales growth is the health of the economies in which we do business, especially the United States. Sales growth and gross margins are also impacted by our competition, which is vigorous and widespread, including a wide range of global, national and regional wholesalers and retailers, including supermarkets, supercenter stores, and department and specialty stores, gasoline stations, and internet-based retailers. 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 to our merchandise mix, including increasing the penetration of our private label items. Our philosophy is not to focus in the short term on maximizing prices that our members can be charged, but to maintain what we believe is a perception among our members of our “pricing authority” – consistently providing the most competitive values. This may cause us, for example, to absorb increases in merchandise costs at certain times rather than immediately passing them along to our members, negatively impacting gross margin.

We also achieve sales growth by opening new warehouses and, to a much lesser extent, relocating existing warehouses to larger and better-located facilities. As our warehouse base grows, available and desirable potential sites become more difficult to secure, and square footage growth becomes a comparatively less substantial component of growth. However, the negative aspects of such growth, including lower initial operating profitability relative to existing warehouses and cannibalization of sales at existing warehouses when openings occur in existing markets, are lessened. Our rate of square footage growth is higher in foreign markets, due to the smaller base in those markets, and we expect that to continue.

Our financial performance also depends heavily on our ability to control costs. While we believe that we have achieved successes in this area historically, some significant costs are partially outside our control, most particularly health care and utility expenses. With respect to expenses relating to the compensation of our employees, our philosophy is not to seek to minimize the wages and benefits that they earn. 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 is operated on very low margins, modest changes in various items in the income statement, particularly gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses, can have substantial impacts on net income.

Our operating model is generally the same across our U.S., Canada, and Other International operating segments (see Part I, Item 1, Note 10 of this Report). Certain countries in the Other International segment have relatively higher rates of square footage growth, lower wages and benefit costs as a percentage of country sales, and/or less direct membership warehouse competition. Additionally, we operate our lower-margin gasoline business only in the United States and Canada.

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 typically calculated as the difference between the current period’s currency exchange rates and the comparable prior-year period’s currency exchange rates.

Historically (prior to the July 2012 acquisition of the 50% noncontrolling interest), our operations in Mexico were through a 50% owned joint venture (Mexico). For the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended Februay 12, 2012, the financial position and results of Mexico’s operations are fully consolidated

and the joint venture partner’s share is included in “net income attributable to noncontrolling interests”. In July 2012, we acquired the remaining 50% interest in Mexico from our joint venture partner, and therefore, have included 100% of Mexico’s operations within “net income attributable to Costco” for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013.

Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to August 31. References to the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twelve-week fiscal quarters ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, respectively. References to the first half of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, 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.

Key items for the second quarter of 2013 as compared to the second quarter of 2012 include:

•

Net sales increased 8% to $24,343, driven by a 5% increase in comparable sales and sales at the 24 net new warehouses opened since the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Net sales were favorably impacted by the strengthening of certain foreign currencies against the U.S dollar;

•

Membership fees increased 15% to $528, primarily due to the impact of raising our annual membership fees, and new membership sign-ups and higher membership renewal rates at warehouses open for more than one year;

•

Gross margin (net sales less merchandise costs) as a percentage of net sales increased six basis points;

•

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales increased two basis points;

•

Net income increased 39% to $547, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $394, or $0.90 per diluted share. The current quarter results were positively impacted by a $62 tax benefit, or $0.14 per diluted share, in connection with the special cash dividend paid by the Company in December 2012 to the Company 401(k) Plan participants;

•

On November 28, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $7.00 per share. On December 18, 2012, approximately $3,049 was paid in connection with this dividend. Additionally, on December 7, 2012, we issued $3,500 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes; and

•

On January 24, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.275 per share, which was paid subsequent to the end of the second quarter.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Sales


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
Net sales	$	24,343		$	22,508		$	47,547		$	43,689
Increases in net sales:
U.S.		7	%		9	%		8	%		10	%
International		11	%		13	%		12	%		14	%

Total Company		8	%		10	%		9	%		11	%

Increases in comparable warehouse sales:
U.S.		5	%		8	%		6	%		9	%
International		6	%		8	%		7	%		9	%

Total Company		5	%		8	%		6	%		9	%

Increases in comparable warehouse sales excluding the impact of gasoline price inflation and foreign currencies:
U.S.		5	%		7	%		6	%		7	%
International		4	%		10	%		5	%		10	%

Total Company		5	%		7	%		5	%		7	%

Net Sales

Net sales increased $1,835 or 8%, and $3,858 or 9% in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively. These increases were attributable to an increase in comparable warehouse sales and sales at the 24 net new warehouses opened since the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted net sales during the second quarter and first half of 2013 by approximately $131, or 58 basis points, and $248, or 57 basis points, respectively. The positive impact in the second quarter and first half of 2013 was primarily due to the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar. Gasoline price inflation positively impacted net sales by approximately $146, or 33 basis points, during the first half of 2013, due to a 3% increase in the average sales price per gallon.

Comparable Sales

Comparable sales increased 5% and 6% in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, and were positively impacted by increases in both shopping frequency and the average amount spent by our members. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar during the second quarter and first half of 2013 as well as gasoline price inflation in the first half of 2013 positively impacted comparable sales results. The increase in comparable sales includes the negative impact of cannibalization (established warehouses losing sales to our newly opened locations) primarily in our Other International segment due to increased warehouse openings in Asia.

Membership Fees


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
Membership fees	$	528		$	459		$	1,039		$	906
Membership fees as a percent of net sales		2.17	%		2.04	%		2.18	%		2.07	%
Total cardholders (000’s)		69,100			65,700			69,100			65,700

Membership fee revenue increased 15% in both the second quarter and first half of 2013. These increases were due to the impact of raising our annual membership fees, new membership sign-ups and higher membership renewal rates at warehouses open for more than one year, and new warehouses opened since the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the second quarter of 2013, our member renewal rates have increased slightly relative to the second quarter of 2012, currently at approximately 89.8% in the U.S. and Canada, and approximately 86.5% on a worldwide basis.

As previously reported, we increased our annual membership fee in the U.S. and Canada effective November 1, 2011, for new members, and January 1, 2012, for renewal members. We account for membership fee revenue, net of estimated refunds, on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period. These fee increases had a positive impact on membership fee revenues of approximately $35 and $65 in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, and will continue to have a significant impact through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Gross Margin


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
Net sales	$	24,343		$	22,508		$	47,547		$	43,689
Less merchandise costs		21,766			20,139			42,492			39,070

Gross margin	$	2,577		$	2,369		$	5,055		$	4,619
Gross margin as a percent of net sales		10.59	%		10.53	%		10.63	%		10.57	%

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased six basis points compared to the second quarter of 2012. Gross margin in our core merchandise categories (food and sundries, hardlines, softlines, and fresh foods) when expressed as a percentage of net sales was unchanged over the prior year. Gross margin for core merchandise categories, when expressed as a percent of core merchandise (rather than net) sales, increased eight basis points. This was primarily due to increases in hardlines and softlines partially offset by a decrease in fresh foods. The gross margin comparison was positively impacted by five basis points due to a $9 LIFO benefit in the second quarter 2013 compared to a charge of $3 in the prior year. Increased penetration of the Executive Membership 2% reward program negatively impacted gross margin by one basis point, due to increased spending by Executive Members. Warehouse ancillary and other business gross margin increased by two basis points. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted gross margin by $13 in the second quarter of 2013.

Gross margin on a geographic segment basis, when expressed as a percentage of the segments own sales (gross margin percentage), increased in our U.S. operations as compared to the second quarter of 2012 due to the LIFO benefit discussed above and improvements in hardlines and softlines. The gross margin percentage in our Canadian operations decreased due to our continued investment in merchandise pricing, primarily in fresh foods. The gross margin percentage in our Other International operations was unchanged.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased six basis points compared to the first half of 2012. Our core merchandise categories gross margin when expressed as a percentage of net sales decreased four basis points, due to decreases in food and sundries and fresh foods margins. Gross margin for core merchandise categories when expressed as a percent of core merchandise (rather than net) sales, increased three basis points for the first half of 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in hardlines partially offset by a decrease in fresh foods. The gross margin comparison was positively impacted by three basis points due to an $11 LIFO benefit in the first half of 2013 compared to a charge of $3 in the prior year. Increased penetration of the Executive Membership 2% reward program negatively impacted gross margin by one basis point due to increased spending by Executive Members. Warehouse ancillary and other businesses gross margin increased eight basis points in the first half of 2013. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted gross margin by approximately $26 in the first half of 2013.

The gross margin percentage in our U.S. operations increased as compared to the first half of 2012 due to the LIFO benefit discussed above. The gross margin percentage in our Canadian operations increased in our warehouse ancillary and other businesses. The gross margin percentage in our Other International operations increased, primarily in our food and sundries category.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
SG&A expenses	$	2,361		$	2,178		$	4,693		$	4,322
SG&A expense as a percent of net sales		9.70	%		9.68	%		9.87	%		9.89	%

SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased two basis points compared to the second quarter of 2012. Our warehouse operating costs as a percentage of net sales remained unchanged from the prior year. Leveraging of payroll costs as a result of increased net sales was offset by increases in employee benefits, predominately healthcare and workers’ compensation expenses. Additionally, higher stock compensation expense increased our SG&A percentage by two basis points. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar increased our SG&A expenses by approximately $9 in the second quarter of 2013.

SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased two basis points compared to the first half of 2012. This improvement was partially due to contributions made to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State in the first quarter of 2012, with no comparable charge in 2013, which resulted in a positive impact of four basis points. In addition, our warehouse operating costs improved four basis points largely due to leveraging of our payroll costs as a result of increased net sales which was partially offset by increased workers’ compensation expense. The overall warehouse operating cost improvements were offset by higher stock compensation expense and higher central operating costs, predominately related to the continuing modernization of our information systems and related activities, which increased our SG&A percentage by three basis points each. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar increased our SG&A expenses by approximately $19 in the first half of 2013.

Preopening Expenses


	12 Weeks Ended				24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012		February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Preopening expenses	$	6	$	6	$	24	$	16
Warehouse openings, including relocations		5		2		14		6

Preopening expenses include costs for startup operations related to new warehouses and the expansion of ancillary operations at existing warehouses. Preopening expenses vary due to the number of warehouse openings, the timing of the opening relative to our quarter end, whether the warehouse is owned or leased, and whether the opening is in an existing, new, or international market.

Interest Expense


	12 Weeks Ended				24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012		February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Interest expense	$	25	$	27	$	38	$	54

Interest expense in the second quarter and first half of 2013 primarily relates to our $1,100 of 5.5% Senior Notes issued in fiscal 2007, and our $3,500 of Senior Notes issued in December 2012. In the second quarter and first half of 2012 interest expense also included interest related to our $900 of 5.3% Senior Notes issued in fiscal 2007, which were paid off in March 2012.

Interest Income and Other, Net


	12 Weeks Ended					24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013		February 12, 2012
Interest income	$	10	$	11		$	20	$	22
Foreign-currency transactions gains (losses), net		13		(3	)		21		20
Other, net		3		2			5		5

Interest income and other, net	$	26	$	10		$	46	$	47

The increase in foreign-currency transactions gains and losses, net in the second quarter was attributable to favorable mark-to-market adjustments related to forward foreign exchange contracts entered into by our foreign subsidiaries as the U.S. dollar strengthened during the second quarter 2013 compared to a weaker U.S. dollar during the same period in the prior year. See Derivatives and Foreign Currency sections in Part I, Item 1, Note 1 of this Report.

Provision for Income Taxes


	12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
	February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012			February 17, 2013			February 12, 2012
Provision for income taxes	$	185		$	215		$	410		$	440
Effective tax rate		25.1	%		34.2	%		29.6	%		37.3	%

Our current year consolidated effective tax rate was favorably impacted by discrete tax benefits of $72, primarily due to a $62 tax benefit in connection with the special cash dividend paid by the Company to employees, who through the Company’s 401(k) Retirement Plan, own Company stock in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Dividends paid on these shares are deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

Our effective tax rate for the first half of 2012 was adversely impacted by a net discrete expense of $26 relating primarily to the adverse impact of an audit of Costco Mexico by the Mexican tax authority and the tax effects of nondeductible expenses for our contributions to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

The following table itemizes components of our most liquid assets:


	February 17, 2013		September 2, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,413	$	3,528
Short-term investments		1,238		1,326

Total	$	5,651	$	4,854

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from warehouse operations, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investment balances. Of these balances, approximately $1,148 and $1,161 at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, respectively, represented debit and credit card receivables, primarily related to sales within the last week of our respective fiscal quarter or fiscal year.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $1,525 in the first half of 2013, compared to $1,244 in the first half of 2012, an increase of $281. This increase was primarily attributable to a $235 increase in net income including noncontrolling interests and a $117 decrease in cash used for our net investment in merchandise inventories. These increases in operating cash flow were partially offset by a $110 decrease in the change in our other current operating assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $855 in the first half of 2013 compared to $452 in the first half of 2012, an increase of $403. This increase was primarily attributable to a $311 increase in the cash used to fund warehouse expansion and remodeling programs.

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $235 in the first half of 2013 compared to net cash used of $392 in the first half of 2012, an increase of $627. This increase was primarily attributable to net proceeds of $3,496 from the issuance of $3,500 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes partially offset by cash dividend payments of $3,169. Additionally, there was a $276 decrease in cash used for common stock repurchases.

We believe that our cash position and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We have not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries as we deem such earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. We believe that our U.S. current asset position is sufficient to meet our U.S. liquidity requirements and we have no current plans to repatriate the cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments held by these subsidiaries for use in the U.S. At February 17, 2013, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $2,013 were held by these non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries.

Dividends

On November 28, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $7.00 per share payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2012. This dividend was paid on December 18, 2012 in the amount of $3,049. On January 24, 2013, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share payable to shareholders of record on February 8, 2013. This dividend was paid on February 22, 2013.

Expansion Plans

Our primary requirement for capital is the financing of land, building, and equipment costs for new and remodeled warehouses. To a lesser extent, capital is required for initial warehouse operations and working capital. While there can be no assurance that current expectations will be realized and plans are subject to change upon further review, it is our current intention to spend approximately $2,000 during fiscal 2013 for real estate, construction, remodeling, and equipment for warehouses and related operations, and continuing the modernization of our information systems. Through the first half of fiscal 2013, we have spent approximately $943. These expenditures are expected to be financed with a combination of cash provided from operations and existing cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.

We opened 14 new warehouses in the first half of 2013. Our plans for the remainder of fiscal 2013 are to open up to 14 additional new warehouses.

Bank Credit Facilities

We maintain bank credit facilities for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of February 17, 2013, we had total borrowing capacity within these facilities of $714, of which $395 was maintained by our international operations. Of the $395 maintained by our international operations, $196 is guaranteed by the Company. There was $64 of outstanding short-term borrowings under the bank credit facilities at the end of second quarter of 2013. The Company has letter of credit facilities, for commercial and standby letters of credit, totaling $153. The outstanding commitments under these facilities at the end of second quarter of 2013 was $111, including $94 in standby letters of credit with expiration dates within one year. The bank credit facilities have various expiration dates, all within one year, and generally, we intend to renew these facilities prior to their expiration. 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 at that time.

Financing Activities

On December 7, 2012, we issued $3,500 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes as follows: $1,200 of 0.65% Senior Notes due December 7, 2015; $1,100 of 1.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2017; and $1,200 of 1.7% Senior Notes due December 15, 2019. The proceeds from the issuance of these Senior Notes were used primarily to pay the special cash dividend on our common stock. The balance of approximately $450 will be used for general corporate purposes.

Contractual Obligations

Other than the issuance of the Senior Notes described above, 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.

Stock Repurchase Programs

There was no stock repurchase activity under our stock repurchase program in the second quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2012, we repurchased 1,759,000 shares, at an average price of $82.20, totaling $145. In the first half of 2013 and 2012, we repurchased 357,000 shares and 3,881,000 shares, at an average price of $96.41 and $81.84, for a total expenditure of $34 and $318, respectively. The remaining amount available to be purchased under our approved plan was $3,055 at February 17, 2013. 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. Repurchased shares are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires that we make estimates and judgments. We base our estimates 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 2, 2012. 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 exposure to financial market risk results primarily from fluctuations in interest rates and foreign-currency exchange 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 2, 2012.

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1—Legal Proceedings

See discussion of Legal Proceedings in Note 9 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 this 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 2, 2012. 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

There was no stock repurchase activity in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Our stock repurchase program is conducted under a $4,000 authorization of our Board of Directors approved in April 2011, which expires in April 2015.

Item 3—Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4— Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5—Other Information

None.

Item 6—Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or incorporated by reference.

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

Filed
Herewith

Form

Period
Ending

Filing
Date

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of the registrant

8-K

8/30/99

3.2

Bylaws of the registrant

8-K

8/24/10

31.1

Rule 13(a) – 14(a) Certifications

32.1

Section 1350 Certifications

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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)

March 20, 2013				/s/ W. CRAIG JELINEK
Date				W. Craig Jelinek President and Chief Executive Officer

March 20, 2013				/s/ RICHARD A. GALANTI
Date				Richard A. Galanti Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, W. Craig Jelinek, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Costco Wholesale Corporation (“the registrant”);

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 20, 2013

/S/ W. CRAIG JELINEK

W. Craig Jelinek

President and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Richard A. Galanti, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Costco Wholesale Corporation (“the registrant”);

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 20, 2013

/S/ RICHARD A. GALANTI

Richard A. Galanti

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Costco Wholesale Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 17, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, W. Craig Jelinek , President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/S/ W. CRAIG JELINEK

Date: March 20, 2013

W. Craig Jelinek

President and Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to and will be retained by Costco Wholesale Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Costco Wholesale Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 17, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Richard A. Galanti, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/S/ RICHARD A. GALANTI

Date: March 20, 2013

Richard A. Galanti

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

v2.4.0.6

Tax Benefits Realized and Intrinsic Value Related to Stock Options Exercised (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Actual tax benefit realized for stock options exercised $ 23 $ 15

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 64 ^[1] $ 42 ^[1]

[1] The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date.

v2.4.0.6

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loan interest rate, fixed 5.50%

Debt instrument, principal due date 2017-03

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loan interest rate, fixed 0.65%

Debt instrument, principal due date 2015-12

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loan interest rate, fixed 1.125%

Debt instrument, principal due date 2017-12

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loan interest rate, fixed 1.70%

Debt instrument, principal due date 2019-12

v2.4.0.6

Segment Reporting (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and through majority-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea. The Company’s reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which considers geographic locations. The material accounting policies of the segments are the same 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 2, 2012, and Note 1 above. All material inter-segment 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 are not allocated internally and generally come under the responsibility of the Company’s U.S. management team.

   United States
Operations    Canadian
Operations    Other
International
Operations    Total

Twelve Weeks Ended February 17, 2013


Total revenue
   $ 17,794       $ 4,002       $ 3,075       $ 24,871

Operating income
   453       156       129       738

Depreciation and amortization
   160       28       29       217

Additions to property and equipment
   205       37       213       455

Twelve Weeks Ended February 12, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 16,611       $ 3,562       $ 2,794       $ 22,967

Operating income
   373       144       127       644

Depreciation and amortization
   156       28       25       209

Additions to property and equipment
   207       33       49       289

Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 17, 2013


Total revenue
   $ 34,712       $ 7,891       $5,983       $ 48,586

Operating income
   796       332       249       1,377

Depreciation and amortization
   315       56       59       430

Additions to property and equipment
   510       92       341       943

Net property and equipment
   9,422       1,665       2,299       13,386

Total assets
   20,105       4,301       4,683       29,089

Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 12, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 32,225       $ 7,003       $ 5,367       $ 44,595

Operating income
   690       279       218       1,187

Depreciation and amortization
   310       54       50       414

Additions to property and equipment
   432       87       113       632

Net property and equipment
   8,958       1,618       1,943       12,519

Total assets
   19,110       3,832       4,569       27,511

Year Ended September 2, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 71,776       $ 15,717       $ 11,644       $ 99,137

Operating income
   1,632       668       459       2,759

Depreciation and amortization
   667       117       124       908

Additions to property and equipment
   1,012       170       298       1,480

Net property and equipment
   9,236       1,664       2,061       12,961

Total assets
   18,401       4,237       4,502       27,140

v2.4.0.6

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Nov. 28, 2012

Income Taxes [Line Items]

Effective tax rates 25.10% 34.20% 29.60% 37.30%

Discrete income tax benefit $ 72

Special cash dividend declared and paid, per share $ 7.00 $ 7.00 $ 7.00

Discrete tax expense (benefit) 26

Special Cash Dividend

Income Taxes [Line Items]

Discrete income tax benefit $ 62

401(k) Retirement Plan

Income Taxes [Line Items]

Ownership of employee, shares 22,600,000 22,600,000

v2.4.0.6

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Dec. 10, 2012

Sep. 02, 2012

Dec. 05, 2012

Closing Price

Dec. 06, 2012

Opening Price

Feb. 17, 2013

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Sep. 02, 2012

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Portion of each share issued counted towards limit of shares available 1.75

Additional number of shares authorized 16,000,000 9,143,000

Special cash dividend shares adjustment ratio 1.0763

Price of share $ 105.95 $ 98.44

Special cash dividend exercise price adjustment ratio 0.9291

Number of stock options outstanding 2,374,000 2,905,000 3,161,000

Number of RSUs outstanding 9,676,000 10,297,000 9,260,000

Additional shares available to be granted 778,000

Number of shares available to be granted as RSUs 11,059,000

Time-based RSUs awards outstanding 9,539,000

Performance-based RSUs awards outstanding 408,000

Outstanding performance-based RSUs awards to be granted 350,000

Unrecognized compensation cost $ 638

Weighted-average period of time (in years) 1 year 10 months 6 days

v2.4.0.6

Investments
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Investments

Note 2—Investments

The Company’s major categories of investments have not changed from the annual reporting period ended September 2, 2012. The Company’s investments at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, were as follows:

February 17, 2013:
   Cost
Basis    Unrealized
Gains    Recorded
Basis

Available-for-sale:


U.S. government and agency securities
   $ 667       $ 4       $ 671

Corporate notes and bonds
   10       0       10

Asset and mortgage-backed securities
   6       0       6







Total available-for-sale
   683       4       687

Held-to-maturity:


Certificates of deposit
   551          551







Total short-term investments
   $ 1,234       $ 4       $ 1,238







September 2, 2012:
   Cost
Basis    Unrealized
Gains    Recorded
Basis

Available-for-sale:


U.S. government and agency securities
   $ 776       $ 6       $ 782

Corporate notes and bonds
   54       0       54

FDIC-insured corporate bonds
   35       0       35

Asset and mortgage-backed securities
   8       0       8







Total available-for-sale
   873       6       879

Held-to-maturity:


Certificates of deposit
   447          447







Total short-term investments
   $ 1,320       $ 6       $ 1,326







As of February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, the Company’s available-for-sale securities that were in continuous unrealized-loss positions were not material. Gross unrealized gains and losses on cash equivalents were not material at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012.

The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:

   12 Weeks Ended    24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012    February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Proceeds
   $ 59       $ 96       $ 120       $ 191

Gross realized gains or losses from sales of available-for-sale securities during the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012 were not material.

The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at February 17, 2013, were as follows:

   Available-For-Sale    Held-To-
Maturity

   Cost Basis    Fair Value

Due in one year or less
   $ 425       $ 425       $ 551

Due after one year through five years
   255       260       0

Due after five years
   3       2       0







   $ 683       $ 687       $ 551

v2.4.0.6

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Effect on Net Income and Weighted Average Number of Dilutive Potential Common Stock (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Line Items]

Net income available to common stockholders used in basic and diluted net income per common share $ 547 $ 394 $ 963 $ 714

Weighted average number of common shares used in basic net income per common share 435,975 434,535 434,698 434,374

RSUs and stock options 3,775 4,094 4,086 4,801

Conversion of convertible notes 62 839 438 861

Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential of common stock used in diluted net income per share 439,812 439,468 439,222 440,036

Anti-dilutive RSUs 0 6 0 4

v2.4.0.6

Proceeds from Sales of Available for Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities $ 59 $ 96 $ 120 $ 191

v2.4.0.6

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Damages sought $ 10

v2.4.0.6

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 17, 2013

Sep. 02, 2012

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis $ 87 $ 77

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Money Market Funds

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 87 ^[1] 77 ^[1]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Treasury and Government

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0 ^[2] 0 ^[2]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Corporate Debt Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0 0

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | FDIC-Insured Corporate Bonds

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Asset-backed Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0 0

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0 ^[3] 0 ^[3]

Fair value of liabilities measured on recurring basis 0 ^[3] 0 ^[3]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 706 889

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Money Market Funds

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 0 ^[1] 0 ^[1]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury and Government

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 686 ^[2] 794 ^[2]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 10 54

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | FDIC-Insured Corporate Bonds

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 35

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 6 8

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis 5 ^[3] 1 ^[3]

Fair value of liabilities measured on recurring basis $ (1) ^[3] $ (3) ^[3]

[1] Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

[2] On February 17, 2013, $15 and $671 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. On September 2, 2012, $12 and $782 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

[3] The asset and the liability values are included in deferred income taxes and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1 for additional information on derivative instruments.

v2.4.0.6

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 17, 2013

Sep. 02, 2012

Feb. 12, 2012

Aug. 28, 2011

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,413 $ 3,528 $ 4,389 $ 4,009

Short-term investments 687

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Treasury and Government

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents 15 12

Short-term investments $ 671 $ 782

v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Policies
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Summary of Significant Policies

Note 1—Summary of Significant Policies

Description of Business

Costco Wholesale Corporation and its subsidiaries operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and select private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. At February 17, 2013, Costco operated 622 warehouses worldwide: 448 United States (U.S.) locations (in 41 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico), 85 Canadian locations, 32 Mexico locations, 23 United Kingdom (U.K.) locations, 13 Japan locations, 9 Taiwan locations, 9 Korea locations, and 3 Australia locations. The Company also operates online businesses at costco.com in the U.S, costco.ca in Canada, and costco.co.uk in the U.K.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco Wholesale Corporation, a Washington corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, consolidated entities in which it has made equity investments, or has other interests through which it has majority-voting control or it exercises the right to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s performance (Costco or the Company). The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material inter-company transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. In July 2012, Costco purchased its former joint venture partner’s 50% equity interest in Costco Mexico. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests in its operations in Mexico prior to the July 2012 acquisition of the 50% noncontrolling interest, Taiwan, and Korea. After the acquisition date, 100% of Mexico’s operations are included in “net income attributable to Costco.” 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 (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 2, 2012.

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. References to the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twelve week fiscal quarters ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, respectively. References to the first half of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, 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.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates. See Notes 2, 3, and 4 for the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments, derivative instruments, and fixed-rate debt, respectively.

The Company accounts for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying a fair value hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs are:

Level 1:
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:
Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3:
Significant unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company’s current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums. There have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 2, 2012.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined primarily by the retail inventory method, and are stated using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all U.S. merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories for all foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail inventory method and are stated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company believes the LIFO method more fairly presents the results of operations by more closely matching current costs with current revenues. The Company records an adjustment each quarter, if necessary, for the projected annual effect of inflation or deflation, and these estimates are adjusted to actual results determined at year-end, when actual inflation rates and inventory levels have been determined.

Due to overall deflationary trends in the second quarter and first half of 2013, a benefit of $9 and $11 was recorded to merchandise costs, respectively, to reduce the cumulative LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories. Due to overall net inflationary trends, a charge to merchandise costs of $3 was recorded in the second quarter and first half of 2012. At February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, the cumulative impact of the LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories was $97 and $108, respectively.

Derivatives

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts, seeking to economically hedge the impact of fluctuations of foreign exchange on known future expenditures denominated in a non-functional foreign-currency. The contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. The aggregate notional amounts of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were $275 and $284 at February 17, 2013 and September 2, 2012, respectively.

The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 3 for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of February 12, 2013, and September 2, 2012.

The unrealized gains or losses recognized in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income relating to the net changes in the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial in the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012.

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in prices for the energy it consumes, particularly electricity and natural gas, which it seeks to partially mitigate through the use of fixed-price contracts for certain of its warehouses and other facilities, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also enters into variable-priced contracts for some purchases of natural gas, in addition to fuel for its gas stations, on an index basis. These contracts meet the characteristics of derivative instruments, but generally qualify for the “normal purchases or normal sales” exception under authoritative guidance and thus require no mark-to-market adjustment.

Foreign Currency

The Company recognizes foreign-currency transaction gains and losses related to revaluing all monetary assets and revaluing or settling monetary liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Generally, this includes the U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents and the U.S. dollar payables of consolidated subsidiaries to their functional currency. Also included are realized foreign-currency gains or losses from all settlements of forward foreign-exchange contracts. These items resulted in a net gain of $6 and $15 in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, as compared to a net gain of $3 and $23 in the second quarter and first half of 2012, respectively.

Stock Repurchase Programs

Repurchased shares of common stock are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act. The par value of repurchased shares is deducted from common stock and the excess of repurchase price over par value is deducted from additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. See Note 5 for additional information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity is required to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or to present the information in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend and simplify the rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The revised guidance allows an initial qualitative evaluation, based on the entity’s events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The results of this qualitative assessment determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required two-step impairment test. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013. Adoption of this guidance had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance to provide enhanced disclosures related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. An entity will be required to disclose the net income line items impacted by significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item is reclassified in its entirety. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company plans to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

v2.4.0.6

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 17, 2013

Sep. 02, 2012

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value $ 4,807 $ 1,382

Less current portion, carrying value 1 1

Long-term debt, excluding current portion, carrying Value 4,806 1,381

Long-term debt, fair value 5,010 1,663

Less current portion, fair value 1 1

Long-term debt, excluding current portion, fair value 5,009 1,662

5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value 1,098 1,097

Long-term debt, fair value 1,291 1,325

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value 1,199 0

Long-term debt, fair value 1,204 0

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value 1,100 0

Long-term debt, fair value 1,100 0

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value 1,197 0

Long-term debt, fair value 1,191 0

Other Long Term Debt

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt, carrying value 213 285

Long-term debt, fair value $ 224 $ 338

v2.4.0.6

Summary of RSU Transactions (Detail) (USD $)
6 Months Ended

Dec. 10, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Number of units

Non-vested Beginning Balance 9,676,000 9,260,000

Granted 4,192,000

Vested and delivered (3,759,000)

Forfeited (128,000)

Special cash dividend 732,000

Non-vested Ending Balance 9,676,000 10,297,000

Weighted average grant date fair value

Non-vested Beginning Balance $ 66.14

Granted $ 90.99

Vested and delivered $ 67.34

Forfeited $ 74.05

Non-vested Ending Balance $ 73.26

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 17, 2013

Sep. 02, 2012

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,413 $ 3,528

Short-term investments 1,238 1,326

Receivables, net 1,300 1,026

Merchandise inventories 7,582 7,096

Deferred income taxes and other current assets 577 550

Total current assets 15,110 13,526

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Land 4,236 4,032

Buildings and improvements 11,196 10,879

Equipment and fixtures 4,451 4,261

Construction in progress 436 374

Gross property, plant and equipment 20,319 19,546

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (6,933) (6,585)

Net property and equipment 13,386 12,961

OTHER ASSETS 593 653

TOTAL ASSETS 29,089 27,140

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Short-term borrowings 64 0

Accounts payable 7,441 7,303

Accrued salaries and benefits 2,077 1,832

Accrued member rewards 694 661

Accrued sales and other taxes 415 397

Deferred membership fees 1,199 1,101

Other current liabilities 1,155 966

Total current liabilities 13,045 12,260

LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion 4,806 1,381

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES 955 981

Total liabilities 18,806 14,622

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

EQUITY

Preferred stock $.005 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding 0 0

Common stock $.005 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 436,336,000 and 432,350,000 shares issued and outstanding 2 2

Additional paid-in capital 4,521 4,369

Accumulated other comprehensive income 111 156

Retained earnings 5,478 7,834

Total Costco stockholders' equity 10,112 12,361

Noncontrolling interests 171 157

Total equity 10,283 12,518

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 29,089 $ 27,140

v2.4.0.6

Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Sep. 02, 2012

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total revenue $ 24,871 $ 22,967 $ 48,586 $ 44,595 $ 99,137

Operating income 738 644 1,377 1,187 2,759

Depreciation and amortization 217 209 430 414 908

Additions to property and equipment 455 289 943 632 1,480

Net property and equipment 13,386 12,519 13,386 12,519 12,961

Total assets 29,089 27,511 29,089 27,511 27,140

United States Operations

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total revenue 17,794 16,611 34,712 32,225 71,776

Operating income 453 373 796 690 1,632

Depreciation and amortization 160 156 315 310 667

Additions to property and equipment 205 207 510 432 1,012

Net property and equipment 9,422 8,958 9,422 8,958 9,236

Total assets 20,105 19,110 20,105 19,110 18,401

Canadian Operations

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total revenue 4,002 3,562 7,891 7,003 15,717

Operating income 156 144 332 279 668

Depreciation and amortization 28 28 56 54 117

Additions to property and equipment 37 33 92 87 170

Net property and equipment 1,665 1,618 1,665 1,618 1,664

Total assets 4,301 3,832 4,301 3,832 4,237

Other International Operations

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total revenue 3,075 2,794 5,983 5,367 11,644

Operating income 129 127 249 218 459

Depreciation and amortization 29 25 59 50 124

Additions to property and equipment 213 49 341 113 298

Net property and equipment 2,299 1,943 2,299 1,943 2,061

Total assets $ 4,683 $ 4,569 $ 4,683 $ 4,569 $ 4,502

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income including noncontrolling interests $ 975 $ 740

Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 430 414

Stock-based compensation 159 134

Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards (51) (40)

Other non-cash operating activities, net (12) 19

Deferred income taxes 33 (7)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in merchandise inventories (522) (327)

Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable 237 (75)

Other operating assets and liabilities, net 276 386

Net cash provided by operating activities 1,525 1,244

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of short-term investments (1,116) (869)

Maturities of short-term investments 1,073 867

Sales of investments 120 191

Additions to property and equipment (943) (632)

Other investing activities, net 11 (9)

Net cash used in investing activities (855) (452)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Change in bank checks outstanding (63) (77)

Repayments of short-term borrowings (110) (117)

Proceeds from short-term borrowings 183 117

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 3,496 129

Distribution to noncontrolling interests (22) 0

Proceeds from exercise of stock options 35 39

Minimum tax withholdings on stock-based awards (117) (104)

Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards 51 40

Repurchases of common stock (36) (312)

Cash dividend payments (3,169) (105)

Other financing activities, net (13) (2)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 235 (392)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (20) (20)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 885 380

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS BEGINNING OF YEAR 3,528 4,009

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS END OF PERIOD 4,413 4,389

Cash paid during the first half of year for:

Interest (reduced by $8 and $4 interest capitalized in 2013 and 2012, respectively) 31 56

Income taxes 428 363

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Unsettled repurchases of common stock 0 6

Decrease in accrued property and equipment (12) (66)

Property acquired under capital lease 11 0

Common stock issued upon conversion of 3.5% Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes 29 1

Cash dividend declared, but not yet paid $ 120 $ 104

v2.4.0.6

Equity and Comprehensive Income - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Nov. 28, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Dec. 18, 2012

Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Dividends declared and paid $ 0.275 $ 0.240

Special cash dividend declared and paid, per share $ 7.00 $ 7.00 $ 7.00

Special dividend paid $ 3,049

Special cash dividend declared, declared date Nov. 28, 2012

Special cash dividend declared, payable date Dec. 18, 2012

Special cash dividend declared, record date Dec. 10, 2012

Shares repurchased 1,759,000 357,000 3,881,000

Average price per share $ 82.20 $ 96.41 $ 81.84

Total cost 145 34 318

Stock repurchase authorization amount remaining $ 3,055

v2.4.0.6

Equity and Comprehensive Income (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Components of Equity and Comprehensive Income

The following tables show the changes in equity attributable to Costco and the noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest, but not a total ownership interest:

   Attributable
to Costco Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Equity

Equity at September 2, 2012
   $ 12,361    $ 157    $ 12,518

Comprehensive income:


Net income
   963    12    975

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
   (45 ) 2    (43 )



Comprehensive income
   918    14    932

Stock-based compensation
   159    0    159

Stock options exercised, including tax effects
   51    0    51

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects
   (83 ) 0    (83 )

Conversion of convertible notes
   29    0    29

Repurchases of common stock
   (34 ) 0    (34 )

Cash dividends declared
   (3,289 ) 0    (3,289 )



Equity at February 17, 2013
   $ 10,112    $ 171    $ 10,283



   Attributable
to Costco Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Equity

Equity at August 28, 2011
   $ 12,002    $ 571    $ 12,573

Comprehensive income:


Net income
   714    26    740

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
   (67 ) (10 ) (77 )



Comprehensive income
   647    16    663

Stock-based compensation
   134    0    134

Stock options exercised, including tax effects
   49    0    49

Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects
   (74 ) 0    (74 )

Conversion of convertible notes
   1    0    1

Repurchases of common stock
   (318 ) 0    (318 )

Cash dividends declared
   (209 ) 0    (209 )



Equity at February 12, 2012
   $ 12,232    $ 587    $ 12,819

v2.4.0.6

Changes in Equity Attributes to Costco and the Noncontrolling Interests of Consolidated Subsidiaries (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Beginning Balance $ 12,518 $ 12,573

Comprehensive income:

Net income 554 412 975 740

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net (65) 132 (43) (77)

Comprehensive income 489 544 932 663

Stock-based compensation 66 58 159 134

Stock options exercised, including tax effects 51 49

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects (83) (74)

Conversion of convertible notes 29 1

Repurchases of common stock (145) (34) (318)

Cash dividends declared (3,289) (209)

Ending Balance 10,283 12,819 10,283 12,819

Attributable to Costco

Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Beginning Balance 12,361 12,002

Comprehensive income:

Net income 963 714

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net (45) (67)

Comprehensive income 918 647

Stock-based compensation 159 134

Stock options exercised, including tax effects 51 49

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects (83) (74)

Conversion of convertible notes 29 1

Repurchases of common stock (34) (318)

Cash dividends declared (3,289) (209)

Ending Balance 10,112 12,232 10,112 12,232

Noncontrolling Interest

Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Beginning Balance 157 571

Comprehensive income:

Net income 12 26

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net 2 (10)

Comprehensive income 14 16

Stock-based compensation 0 0

Stock options exercised, including tax effects 0 0

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects 0 0

Conversion of convertible notes 0 0

Repurchases of common stock 0 0

Cash dividends declared 0 0

Ending Balance $ 171 $ 587 $ 171 $ 587

v2.4.0.6

Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Effect on Net Income and Weighted Average Number of Dilutive Potential Common Stock

The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the effect on net income and the weighted average number of shares of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000’s):

   12 Weeks Ended    24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012    February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Net income available to common stockholders used in basic and diluted net income per common share
   $ 547       $ 394       $ 963       $ 714









Weighted average number of common shares used in basic net income per common share
   435,975       434,535       434,698       434,374

RSUs and stock options
   3,775       4,094       4,086       4,801

Conversion of convertible notes
   62       839       438       861









Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential of common stock used in diluted net income per share
   439,812       439,468       439,222       440,036









Anti-dilutive RSUs
   0       6       0       4

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Interest, interest capitalized $ 8 $ 4

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)

Feb. 17, 2013

Sep. 02, 2012

Preferred stock, par value $ 0.005 $ 0.005

Preferred stock, shares authorized 100,000,000 100,000,000

Preferred stock, shares issued 0 0

Preferred stock, shares outstanding 0 0

Common stock, par value $ 0.005 $ 0.005

Common stock, shares authorized 900,000,000 900,000,000

Common stock, shares issued 436,336,000 432,350,000

Common stock, shares outstanding 436,336,000 432,350,000

v2.4.0.6

Segment Reporting
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Segment Reporting

Note 10—Segment Reporting

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and through majority-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea. The Company’s reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which considers geographic locations. The material accounting policies of the segments are the same 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 2, 2012, and Note 1 above. All material inter-segment 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 are not allocated internally and generally come under the responsibility of the Company’s U.S. management team.

   United States
Operations    Canadian
Operations    Other
International
Operations    Total

Twelve Weeks Ended February 17, 2013


Total revenue
   $ 17,794       $ 4,002       $ 3,075       $ 24,871

Operating income
   453       156       129       738

Depreciation and amortization
   160       28       29       217

Additions to property and equipment
   205       37       213       455

Twelve Weeks Ended February 12, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 16,611       $ 3,562       $ 2,794       $ 22,967

Operating income
   373       144       127       644

Depreciation and amortization
   156       28       25       209

Additions to property and equipment
   207       33       49       289

Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 17, 2013


Total revenue
   $ 34,712       $ 7,891       $5,983       $ 48,586

Operating income
   796       332       249       1,377

Depreciation and amortization
   315       56       59       430

Additions to property and equipment
   510       92       341       943

Net property and equipment
   9,422       1,665       2,299       13,386

Total assets
   20,105       4,301       4,683       29,089

Twenty-Four Weeks Ended February 12, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 32,225       $ 7,003       $ 5,367       $ 44,595

Operating income
   690       279       218       1,187

Depreciation and amortization
   310       54       50       414

Additions to property and equipment
   432       87       113       632

Net property and equipment
   8,958       1,618       1,943       12,519

Total assets
   19,110       3,832       4,569       27,511

Year Ended September 2, 2012


Total revenue
   $ 71,776       $ 15,717       $ 11,644       $ 99,137

Operating income
   1,632       668       459       2,759

Depreciation and amortization
   667       117       124       908

Additions to property and equipment
   1,012       170       298       1,480

Net property and equipment
   9,236       1,664       2,061       12,961

Total assets
   18,401       4,237       4,502       27,140

v2.4.0.6

Document and Entity Information
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Mar. 13, 2013

Document Information [Line Items]

Document Type 10-Q

Amendment Flag false

Document Period End Date Feb. 17, 2013

Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013

Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2

Trading Symbol COST

Entity Registrant Name COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW

Entity Central Index Key 0000909832

Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-01

Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer

Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 436,371,394

v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco Wholesale Corporation, a Washington corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, consolidated entities in which it has made equity investments, or has other interests through which it has majority-voting control or it exercises the right to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s performance (Costco or the Company). The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material inter-company transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. In July 2012, Costco purchased its former joint venture partner’s 50% equity interest in Costco Mexico. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests in its operations in Mexico prior to the July 2012 acquisition of the 50% noncontrolling interest, Taiwan, and Korea. After the acquisition date, 100% of Mexico’s operations are included in “net income attributable to Costco.” 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 (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 2, 2012.

Fiscal Year End

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. References to the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twelve week fiscal quarters ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, respectively. References to the first half of 2013 and 2012 relate to the twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, and February 12, 2012, respectively.

Use of Estimates

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.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates. See Notes 2, 3, and 4 for the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments, derivative instruments, and fixed-rate debt, respectively.

The Company accounts for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying a fair value hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs are:

Level 1:
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:
Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3:
Significant unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company’s current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums. There have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 2, 2012.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined primarily by the retail inventory method, and are stated using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all U.S. merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories for all foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail inventory method and are stated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company believes the LIFO method more fairly presents the results of operations by more closely matching current costs with current revenues. The Company records an adjustment each quarter, if necessary, for the projected annual effect of inflation or deflation, and these estimates are adjusted to actual results determined at year-end, when actual inflation rates and inventory levels have been determined.

Due to overall deflationary trends in the second quarter and first half of 2013, a benefit of $9 and $11 was recorded to merchandise costs, respectively, to reduce the cumulative LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories. Due to overall net inflationary trends, a charge to merchandise costs of $3 was recorded in the second quarter and first half of 2012. At February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, the cumulative impact of the LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories was $97 and $108, respectively.

Derivatives

Derivatives

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts, seeking to economically hedge the impact of fluctuations of foreign exchange on known future expenditures denominated in a non-functional foreign-currency. The contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. The aggregate notional amounts of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were $275 and $284 at February 17, 2013 and September 2, 2012, respectively.

The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 3 for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of February 12, 2013, and September 2, 2012.

The unrealized gains or losses recognized in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income relating to the net changes in the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial in the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012.

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in prices for the energy it consumes, particularly electricity and natural gas, which it seeks to partially mitigate through the use of fixed-price contracts for certain of its warehouses and other facilities, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also enters into variable-priced contracts for some purchases of natural gas, in addition to fuel for its gas stations, on an index basis. These contracts meet the characteristics of derivative instruments, but generally qualify for the “normal purchases or normal sales” exception under authoritative guidance and thus require no mark-to-market adjustment.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

The Company recognizes foreign-currency transaction gains and losses related to revaluing all monetary assets and revaluing or settling monetary liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Generally, this includes the U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents and the U.S. dollar payables of consolidated subsidiaries to their functional currency. Also included are realized foreign-currency gains or losses from all settlements of forward foreign-exchange contracts. These items resulted in a net gain of $6 and $15 in the second quarter and first half of 2013, respectively, as compared to a net gain of $3 and $23 in the second quarter and first half of 2012, respectively.

Stock Repurchase Programs

Stock Repurchase Programs

Repurchased shares of common stock are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act. The par value of repurchased shares is deducted from common stock and the excess of repurchase price over par value is deducted from additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. See Note 5 for additional information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity is required to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or to present the information in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend and simplify the rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The revised guidance allows an initial qualitative evaluation, based on the entity’s events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The results of this qualitative assessment determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required two-step impairment test. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of 2013. Adoption of this guidance had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance to provide enhanced disclosures related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. An entity will be required to disclose the net income line items impacted by significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item is reclassified in its entirety. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company plans to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

REVENUE

Net sales $ 24,343 $ 22,508 $ 47,547 $ 43,689

Membership fees 528 459 1,039 906

Total revenue 24,871 22,967 48,586 44,595

OPERATING EXPENSES

Merchandise costs 21,766 20,139 42,492 39,070

Selling, general and administrative 2,361 2,178 4,693 4,322

Preopening expenses 6 6 24 16

Operating income 738 644 1,377 1,187

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest expense (25) (27) (38) (54)

Interest income and other, net 26 10 46 47

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 739 627 1,385 1,180

Provision for income taxes 185 215 410 440

Net income including noncontrolling interests 554 412 975 740

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (7) (18) (12) (26)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO $ 547 $ 394 $ 963 $ 714

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO:

Basic $ 1.26 $ 0.91 $ 2.22 $ 1.64

Diluted $ 1.24 $ 0.90 $ 2.19 $ 1.62

Shares used in calculation (000's)

Basic 435,975 434,535 434,698 434,374

Diluted 439,812 439,468 439,222 440,036

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE $ 7.275 $ 0.240 $ 7.550 $ 0.480

v2.4.0.6

Equity and Comprehensive Income
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Equity and Comprehensive Income

Note 5—Equity and Comprehensive Income

Dividends

The Company’s current quarterly dividend rate is $0.275 per share, compared to $0.24 per share in the second quarter of 2012. On November 28, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend on Costco common stock of $7.00 per share, which was paid on December 18, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 10, 2012. The aggregate payment was approximately $3,049.

Stock Repurchase Programs

There was no stock repurchase activity in the second quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2012, we repurchased 1,759,000 shares, at an average price of $82.20, totaling $145. In the first half of 2013 and 2012, we repurchased 357,000 shares and 3,881,000 shares, at an average price of $96.41 and $81.84, for a total expenditure of $34 and $318, respectively. The remaining amount available to be purchased under our approved plan was $3,055 at February 17, 2013. These amounts differ from the stock repurchase balances in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of the quarter. 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. Repurchased shares are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act.

Components of Equity and Comprehensive Income

The following tables show the changes in equity attributable to Costco and the noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest, but not a total ownership interest:

   Attributable
to Costco Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Equity

Equity at September 2, 2012
   $ 12,361    $ 157    $ 12,518

Comprehensive income:


Net income
   963    12    975

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
   (45 ) 2    (43 )



Comprehensive income
   918    14    932

Stock-based compensation
   159    0    159

Stock options exercised, including tax effects
   51    0    51

Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs), including tax effects
   (83 ) 0    (83 )

Conversion of convertible notes
   29    0    29

Repurchases of common stock
   (34 ) 0    (34 )

Cash dividends declared
   (3,289 ) 0    (3,289 )



Equity at February 17, 2013
   $ 10,112    $ 171    $ 10,283



   Attributable
to Costco Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Equity

Equity at August 28, 2011
   $ 12,002    $ 571    $ 12,573

Comprehensive income:


Net income
   714    26    740

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net
   (67 ) (10 ) (77 )



Comprehensive income
   647    16    663

Stock-based compensation
   134    0    134

Stock options exercised, including tax effects
   49    0    49

Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects
   (74 ) 0    (74 )

Conversion of convertible notes
   1    0    1

Repurchases of common stock
   (318 ) 0    (318 )

Cash dividends declared
   (209 ) 0    (209 )



Equity at February 12, 2012
   $ 12,232    $ 587    $ 12,819

v2.4.0.6

Debt
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Debt

Note 4—Debt

The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

   February 17, 2013    September 2, 2012

   Carrying
Value    Fair
Value    Carrying
Value    Fair
Value

5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017
   $ 1,098       $ 1,291       $ 1,097       $ 1,325

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015
   1,199       1,204       0       0

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017
   1,100       1,100       0       0

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019
   1,197       1,191       0       0

Other long-term debt
   213       224       285       338









Total long-term debt
   4,807       5,010       1,382       1,663

Less current portion
   1       1       1       1









Long-term debt, excluding current portion
   $ 4,806       $ 5,009       $ 1,381       $ 1,662









The current portion of long-term debt is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was based primarily on reported market values, recently completed market transactions and estimates based upon interest rates, maturities, and credit. Substantially all of the Company’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2.

On December 7, 2012, the Company issued $3,500 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes as follows:

•
$1,200 of 0.65% Senior Notes due December 7, 2015. Interest is due semi-annually on June 7 and December 7, with the first payment due on June 7, 2013;

•
$1,100 of 1.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2017. Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013; and

•
$1,200 of 1.7% Senior Notes due December 15, 2019. Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013.

v2.4.0.6

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Summary of Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes stock option transactions during the first half of 2013:

   Number
Of
Options
(in 000’s) Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value⁽¹⁾

Outstanding at September 2, 2012
   3,161    $ 40.90

Exercised
   (1,008 ) 35.75

Special cash dividend
   221    N/A





Outstanding at February 17, 2013
   2,374    $ 39.27       1.84       $ 149







⁽¹⁾
The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock at February 17, 2013.

Tax Benefits Realized and Intrinsic Value Related to Total Stock Options Exercised

The tax benefits realized, derived from the compensation deductions resulting from option exercises, and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:

   24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Actual tax benefit realized for stock options exercised
   $ 23       $ 15

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised ⁽¹⁾
   $ 64       $ 42

⁽¹⁾
The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date.

Summary of RSU Transactions

The following table summarizes RSU transactions during the first half of 2013:

   Number of
Units
(in 000’s) Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Non-vested at September 2, 2012
   9,260    $ 66.14

Granted
   4,192    90.99

Vested and delivered
   (3,759 ) 67.34

Forfeited
   (128 ) 74.05

Special cash dividend
   732    N/A



Non-vested at February 17, 2013
   10,297    $ 73.26



Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Related Tax Benefits

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits under the Company’s plans:

   12 Weeks Ended 24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013 February 12,
2012 February 17,
2013 February 12,
2012

Total stock-based compensation expense before income taxes
   $ 66    $ 58    $ 159    $ 134

Less recognized income tax benefit
   (22 ) (19 ) (53 ) (44 )



Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes
   $ 44    $ 39    $ 106    $ 90

v2.4.0.6

Investments (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Investments

The Company’s investments at February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, were as follows:

February 17, 2013:
   Cost
Basis    Unrealized
Gains    Recorded
Basis

Available-for-sale:


U.S. government and agency securities
   $ 667       $ 4       $ 671

Corporate notes and bonds
   10       0       10

Asset and mortgage-backed securities
   6       0       6







Total available-for-sale
   683       4       687

Held-to-maturity:


Certificates of deposit
   551          551







Total short-term investments
   $ 1,234       $ 4       $ 1,238







September 2, 2012:
   Cost
Basis    Unrealized
Gains    Recorded
Basis

Available-for-sale:


U.S. government and agency securities
   $ 776       $ 6       $ 782

Corporate notes and bonds
   54       0       54

FDIC-insured corporate bonds
   35       0       35

Asset and mortgage-backed securities
   8       0       8







Total available-for-sale
   873       6       879

Held-to-maturity:


Certificates of deposit
   447          447







Total short-term investments
   $ 1,320       $ 6       $ 1,326







Proceeds from Sales of Available for Sale Securities

The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during the second quarter and the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:

   12 Weeks Ended    24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012    February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Proceeds
   $ 59       $ 96       $ 120       $ 191

Maturities of Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Securities

The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at February 17, 2013, were as follows:

   Available-For-Sale    Held-To-
Maturity

   Cost Basis    Fair Value

Due in one year or less
   $ 425       $ 425       $ 551

Due after one year through five years
   255       260       0

Due after five years
   3       2       0







   $ 683       $ 687       $ 551

v2.4.0.6

Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share

Note 8—Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share

The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the effect on net income and the weighted average number of shares of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000’s):

   12 Weeks Ended    24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012    February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Net income available to common stockholders used in basic and diluted net income per common share
   $ 547       $ 394       $ 963       $ 714









Weighted average number of common shares used in basic net income per common share
   435,975       434,535       434,698       434,374

RSUs and stock options
   3,775       4,094       4,086       4,801

Conversion of convertible notes
   62       839       438       861









Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential of common stock used in diluted net income per share
   439,812       439,468       439,222       440,036









Anti-dilutive RSUs
   0       6       0       4

v2.4.0.6

Stock-Based Compensation Plans
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Note 6—Stock-Based Compensation Plans

In the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Fifth Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan was amended following shareholder approval and is now referred to as the Sixth Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (Sixth Plan). The Sixth Plan initially authorized the issuance of 16,000,000 shares (9,143,000 RSUs) of common stock for future grants in addition to shares authorized under the previous plan. Each RSU issued is counted as 1.75 shares toward the limit of shares available. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs. RSUs are settled in shares and delivered to participants annually, net of shares equal to the minimum statutory withholding taxes.

As required by the Company’s Sixth Plan, in conjunction with the special cash dividend discussed in Note 5, adjustments were made to awards outstanding on the dividend record date to preserve their value following the special cash dividend, as follows: (i) the number of shares subject to outstanding RSUs was increased; and (ii) the exercise prices of outstanding stock options were reduced and the number of shares subject to such options was increased. The number of outstanding stock options and RSUs was increased by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by a factor of 1.0763, representing the ratio of the NASDAQ closing price of $105.95 on December 5, 2012, which was the last trading day immediately prior to the ex-dividend date, to the NASDAQ opening price of $98.44 on the ex-dividend date, December 6, 2012. The exercise prices of stock options were reduced by multiplying the prices by a factor of 0.9291, representing the ratio of the NASDAQ opening price on the ex-dividend date to the NASDAQ closing price on December 5. Approximately 2,905,000 stock options were adjusted, and approximately 9,676,000 RSUs were adjusted. These adjustments did not result in additional share-based compensation expense, as the fair value of the outstanding awards immediately following the payment of the special cash dividend was equal to the fair value immediately prior to such distribution. As further required by the Sixth Plan, the maximum number of shares issuable under the Sixth Plan was proportionally adjusted based on the 1.0763 ratio described above. This resulted in an additional 778,000 shares available to be granted.

Summary of Stock Option Activity

All outstanding stock options were fully vested and exercisable as of February 17, 2013 and September 2, 2012. The following table summarizes stock option transactions during the first half of 2013:

   Number
Of
Options
(in 000’s) Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value⁽¹⁾

Outstanding at September 2, 2012
   3,161    $ 40.90

Exercised
   (1,008 ) 35.75

Special cash dividend
   221    N/A





Outstanding at February 17, 2013
   2,374    $ 39.27       1.84       $ 149







⁽¹⁾
The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock at February 17, 2013.

The tax benefits realized, derived from the compensation deductions resulting from option exercises, and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during the first half of 2013 and 2012 are provided in the following table:

   24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013    February 12,
2012

Actual tax benefit realized for stock options exercised
   $ 23       $ 15

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised ⁽¹⁾
   $ 64       $ 42

⁽¹⁾
The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date.

Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity

At February 17, 2013, 11,059,000 shares were available to be granted as RSUs under the Sixth Plan.

The following awards were outstanding at the end of the first half of 2013:

•
9,539,000 time-based RSUs that vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time;

•
408,000 performance-based RSUs granted to certain executive officers of the Company for which the performance targets have been met. Further restrictions lapse upon achievement of continued employment over specified periods of time; and

•
350,000 performance-based RSUs to be granted to executive officers of the Company upon achievement of specified performance targets for fiscal 2013, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors after the end of the fiscal year. These awards are included in the table below and the Company recognized compensation expense for these awards as it is currently deemed probable that the performance targets will be achieved.

The following table summarizes RSU transactions during the first half of 2013:

   Number of
Units
(in 000’s) Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Non-vested at September 2, 2012
   9,260    $ 66.14

Granted
   4,192    90.99

Vested and delivered
   (3,759 ) 67.34

Forfeited
   (128 ) 74.05

Special cash dividend
   732    N/A



Non-vested at February 17, 2013
   10,297    $ 73.26



The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs at Februray 17, 2013, was $638 and the weighted-average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 1.85 years.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits under the Company’s plans:

   12 Weeks Ended 24 Weeks Ended

   February 17,
2013 February 12,
2012 February 17,
2013 February 12,
2012

Total stock-based compensation expense before income taxes
   $ 66    $ 58    $ 159    $ 134

Less recognized income tax benefit
   (22 ) (19 ) (53 ) (44 )



Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes
   $ 44    $ 39    $ 106    $ 90

v2.4.0.6

Income Taxes
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Income Taxes

Note 7—Income Taxes

The Company’s reported effective income tax rates for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 17, 2013, were 25.1% and 29.6%, respectively, compared to 34.2% and 37.3% for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2012, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income, which includes the net impact of discrete tax items. The Company’s current year effective tax rate was favorably impacted by discrete tax benefits of $72, primarily due to a $62 tax benefit in connection with the special cash dividend of $7 per share paid by the Company to employees, who through the Company’s 401(k) Retirement Plan, owned 22,600,000 shares of Company stock, through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Dividends paid on these shares are deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first half of 2012 was adversely impacted by a net discrete expense of $26 relating primarily to the adverse impact of an audit of Costco Mexico by the Mexican tax authority and the tax effects of nondeductible expenses for the Company’s contributions to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.

v2.4.0.6

Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 9—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. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. 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. As of the date of this report, the Company has not recorded an accrual with respect to any matter described below. In each case, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred. The possible loss or range of loss cannot in our view, however, 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.

The Company is a defendant in the following matters, among others:

A case brought as a class action on behalf of certain present and former female managers, in which plaintiffs allege denial of promotion based on gender in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California state law. Shirley “Rae” Ellis v. Costco Wholesale Corp., United States District Court (San Francisco), Case No. C-04-3341-MHP. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, interest and attorneys’ fees. Class certification was granted by the district court on January 11, 2007. On September 16, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the order of class certification and remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On September 25, 2012, the district court certified a class of women in the United States denied promotion to warehouse general manager or assistant general manager since January 3, 2002. Currently the class is believed to be approximately 1,250 people. A trial has been set for January 2014.

Numerous putative class actions have been brought around the United States against motor fuel retailers, including the Company, alleging that they have been overcharging consumers by selling gasoline or diesel that is warmer than 60 degrees without adjusting the volume sold to compensate for heat-related expansion or disclosing the effect of such expansion on the energy equivalent received by the consumer. The Company is named in the following actions: Raphael Sagalyn, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-430 (D. Md.); Phyllis Lerner, et al., v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, et al., Case No. 07-1216 (C.D. Cal.); Linda A. Williams, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-179 (M.D. Ala.); James Graham, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 07-193 (E.D. Va.); Betty A. Delgado, et al., v. Allsups, Convenience Stores, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-202 (D.N.M.); Gary Kohut, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-285 (D. Nev.); Mark Rushing, et al., v. Alon USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-7621 (N.D. Cal.); James Vanderbilt, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-1052 (W.D. Mo.); Zachary Wilson, et al., v. Ampride, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-2582 (D. Kan.); Diane Foster, et al., v. BP North America Petroleum, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-02059 (W.D. Tenn.); Mara Redstone, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-20751 (S.D. Fla.); Fred Aguirre, et al. v. BP West Coast Products LLC, et al., Case No. 07-1534 (N.D. Cal.); J.C. Wash, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 4:07cv37 (E.D. Mo.); Jonathan Charles Conlin, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07 0317 (M.D. Tenn.); William Barker, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07-cv-00293 (D.N.M.); Melissa J. Couch, et al. v. BP Products North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07cv291 (E.D. Tex.); S. Garrett Cook, Jr., et al., v. Hess Corporation, et al., Case No. 07cv750 (M.D. Ala.); Jeff Jenkins, et al. v. Amoco Oil Company, et al., Case No. 07-cv-00661 (D. Utah); and Mark Wyatt, et al., v. B. P. America Corp., et al., Case No. 07-1754 (S.D. Cal.). On June 18, 2007, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned the action, entitled In re Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation, MDL Docket No 1840, to Judge Kathryn Vratil in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. On April 12, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the actions in which it is named as a defendant. Under the settlement, the Company agreed, to the extent allowed by law, to install over five years from the effective date of the settlement temperature-correcting dispensers in the States of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Other than payments to class representatives, the settlement does not provide for cash payments to class members. On September 22, 2011, the court preliminarily approved a revised settlement, which did not materially alter the terms. On April 24, 2012, the court granted final approval of the revised settlement. A class member who objected has filed a notice of appeal from the order approving the settlement. Plaintiffs have moved for an award of $10 million in attorneys’ fees, as well as an award of costs and payments to class representatives. The Company has opposed the motion.

On October 4, 2006, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, seeking records relating to the Company’s receipt and handling of hazardous merchandise returned by Costco members and other records. The Company has entered into a tolling agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Information Request to the Company, dated November 1, 2007, regarding warehouses in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada and relating to compliance with regulations concerning air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. On March 4, 2009, the Company was advised by the Department of Justice that the Department was prepared to allege that the Company has committed at least nineteen violations of the leak-repair requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.156(i) and at least seventy-four violations of the recordkeeping requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.166(k), (m) at warehouses in these states. The Company has responded to these allegations, is engaged in communications with the Department about these and additional allegations, and has entered into tolling agreements. Substantial penalties may be levied for violations of the Clean Air Act. The Company is cooperating with this inquiry.

On October 7, 2009, the District Attorneys for San Diego, San Joaquin and Solano Counties filed a complaint, People of the State of California v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al, No. 37-2009-00099912 (Superior Court for the County of San Diego), alleging on information and belief that the Company has violated and continues to violate provisions of the California Health and Safety Code and the Business and Professions Code through the use of certain spill clean-up materials at its gasoline stations. Relief sought includes, among other things, requests for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs and attorneys’ fees.

The Company has received notices from most states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking the turnover of unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties, costs of examinations, and other relief.

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; 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.

v2.4.0.6

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended

Dec. 07, 2012

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Senior note $ 3,500

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Senior note 1,200

Senior note, interest rate 0.65%

Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment Interest is due semi-annually on June 7 and December 7, with the first payment due on June 7, 2013

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015 | First Payment

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument maturity date Jun. 07, 2013

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Senior note 1,100

Senior note, interest rate 1.125%

Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017 | First Payment

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument maturity date Jun. 15, 2013

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Senior note $ 1,200

Senior note, interest rate 1.70%

Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019 | First Payment

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument maturity date Jun. 15, 2013

v2.4.0.6

Debt (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Long-Term Debt

The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

   February 17, 2013    September 2, 2012

   Carrying
Value    Fair
Value    Carrying
Value    Fair
Value

5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017
   $ 1,098       $ 1,291       $ 1,097       $ 1,325

0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015
   1,199       1,204       0       0

1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017
   1,100       1,100       0       0

1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019
   1,197       1,191       0       0

Other long-term debt
   213       224       285       338









Total long-term debt
   4,807       5,010       1,382       1,663

Less current portion
   1       1       1       1









Long-term debt, excluding current portion
   $ 4,806       $ 5,009       $ 1,381       $ 1,662

v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Sep. 02, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

Sep. 02, 2012

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

Jul. 31, 2012

Costco Mexico

Feb. 17, 2013

UNITED STATES

Feb. 17, 2013

CANADA

Feb. 17, 2013

MEXICO

Feb. 17, 2013

UNITED KINGDOM

Feb. 17, 2013

JAPAN

Feb. 17, 2013

TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA

Feb. 17, 2013

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

Feb. 17, 2013

AUSTRALIA

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Number of warehouses operated 622 448 85 32 23 13 9 9 3

Number of regions in country 41

Purchase of equity interest 50.00%

Charge to merchandise costs $ 9 $ 3 $ 11 $ 3

Inventory LIFO reserve 97 97 108

Notional amount of forward foreign - exchange derivative 275 284

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transaction $ 6 $ 3 $ 15 $ 23

v2.4.0.6

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Total stock-based compensation expense before income taxes $ 66 $ 58 $ 159 $ 134

Less recognized income tax benefit (22) (19) (53) (44)

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes $ 44 $ 39 $ 106 $ 90

v2.4.0.6

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Feb. 17, 2013

Feb. 12, 2012

Net income including noncontrolling interests $ 554 $ 412 $ 975 $ 740

Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net (65) 132 (43) (77)

Comprehensive income 489 544 932 663

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 4 49 14 16

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COSTCO $ 485 $ 495 $ 918 $ 647

v2.4.0.6

Fair Value Measurement
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Fair Value Measurement

Note 3—Fair Value Measurement

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The tables below present information as of February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, respectively, regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial 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 such fair value. As of February 17, 2013, the Company did not hold any Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 2, 2012, the Company’s holdings of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities were immaterial.

February 17, 2013:
   Level 1    Level 2

Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾
   $ 87       $ 0

Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽²⁾
   0       686

Investment in corporate notes and bonds
   0       10

Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities
   0       6

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       5

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       (1 )





Total
   $ 87       $ 706





September 2, 2012:
   Level 1    Level 2

Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾
   $ 77       $ 0

Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽² ⁾
   0       794

Investment in corporate notes and bonds
   0       54

Investment in FDIC-insured corporate bonds
   0       35

Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities
   0       8

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       1

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       (3 )





Total
   $ 77       $ 889





⁽¹⁾
Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽²⁾
On February 17, 2013, $15 and $671 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. On September 2, 2012, $12 and $782 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽³⁾
The asset and the liability values are included in deferred income taxes and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1 for additional information on derivative instruments.

There were no financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the second quarter and first half of 2013, and they were immaterial during the second quarter and first half of 2012. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 during the second quarter and first half of 2013 and 2012.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include held-to-maturity investments that are carried at amortized cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. There were no fair value adjustments to these financial assets during the second quarter and first half of 2013 and 2012.

Nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as long-lived assets that are measured at fair value resulting from an impairment, if deemed necessary. There were no fair value adjustments to these nonfinancial assets and liabilities during the second quarter and first half of 2013. In the second quarter and first half of 2012, these adjustments were immaterial.

v2.4.0.6

Summary Stock Option Transactions (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Dec. 10, 2012

Number of options

Number of options outstanding at beginning balance 3,161,000 2,905,000

Exercised (1,008,000)

Special cash dividend 221,000

Number of options outstanding at ending balance 2,374,000 2,905,000

Weighted- average exercise price

Weighted- average exercise price beginning Balance $ 40.90

Exercised $ 35.75

Weighted- average exercise price ending balance $ 39.27

Weighted-average remaining contractual term

Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) 1 year 10 months 2 days

Aggregate intrinsic value

Aggregate intrinsic value $ 149 ^[1]

[1] The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock at February 17, 2013.

v2.4.0.6

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)
6 Months Ended

Feb. 17, 2013

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The tables below present information as of February 17, 2013, and September 2, 2012, respectively, regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial 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 such fair value. As of February 17, 2013, the Company did not hold any Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 2, 2012, the Company’s holdings of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities were immaterial.

February 17, 2013:
   Level 1    Level 2

Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾
   $ 87       $ 0

Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽²⁾
   0       686

Investment in corporate notes and bonds
   0       10

Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities
   0       6

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       5

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       (1 )





Total
   $ 87       $ 706





September 2, 2012:
   Level 1    Level 2

Money market mutual funds ⁽¹⁾
   $ 77       $ 0

Investment in U.S. government and agency securities ⁽² ⁾
   0       794

Investment in corporate notes and bonds
   0       54

Investment in FDIC-insured corporate bonds
   0       35

Investment in asset and mortgage-backed securities
   0       8

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in asset position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       1

Forward foreign exchange contracts, in (liability) position ⁽³ ⁾
   0       (3 )





Total
   $ 77       $ 889





⁽¹⁾
Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽²⁾
On February 17, 2013, $15 and $671 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. On September 2, 2012, $12 and $782 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

⁽³⁾
The asset and the liability values are included in deferred income taxes and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1 for additional information on derivative instruments.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2013
5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan interest rate, fixed	5.50%
Debt instrument, principal due date	2017-03
0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan interest rate, fixed	0.65%
Debt instrument, principal due date	2015-12
1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan interest rate, fixed	1.125%
Debt instrument, principal due date	2017-12
1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan interest rate, fixed	1.70%
Debt instrument, principal due date	2019-12

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2013	Feb. 12, 2012	Feb. 17, 2013	Feb. 12, 2012	Nov. 28, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rates	25.10%	34.20%	29.60%	37.30%
Discrete income tax benefit			$ 72
Special cash dividend declared and paid, per share	$ 7.00		$ 7.00		$ 7.00
Discrete tax expense (benefit)				26
Special Cash Dividend
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Discrete income tax benefit			$ 62
401(k) Retirement Plan
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Ownership of employee, shares	22,600,000		22,600,000

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2013	Dec. 10, 2012	Sep. 02, 2012	Dec. 05, 2012 Closing Price	Dec. 06, 2012 Opening Price	Feb. 17, 2013 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Sep. 02, 2012 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of each share issued counted towards limit of shares available						1.75
Additional number of shares authorized	16,000,000					9,143,000
Special cash dividend shares adjustment ratio		1.0763
Price of share				$ 105.95	$ 98.44
Special cash dividend exercise price adjustment ratio		0.9291
Number of stock options outstanding	2,374,000	2,905,000	3,161,000
Number of RSUs outstanding		9,676,000				10,297,000	9,260,000
Additional shares available to be granted		778,000
Number of shares available to be granted as RSUs						11,059,000
Time-based RSUs awards outstanding						9,539,000
Performance-based RSUs awards outstanding						408,000
Outstanding performance-based RSUs awards to be granted						350,000
Unrecognized compensation cost						$ 638
Weighted-average period of time (in years)						1 year 10 months 6 days

Maturities of Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 17, 2013
Available-For-Sale, Cost Basis
Available-For-Sale, Cost Basis due in one year or less	$ 425
Available-For-Sale, Cost Basis due after one year through five years	255
Available-For-Sale, Cost Basis due after five years	3
Available-For-Sale, Cost Basis, total	683
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value due in one year or less	425
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value due after one year through five years	260
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value due after five years	2
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value, total	687
Held-To-Maturity, Cost Basis
Held-To-Maturity, Cost Basis due in one year or less	551
Held-To-Maturity, Cost Basis due after one year through five years	0
Held-To-Maturity, Cost Basis due after five years	0
Held-To-Maturity, Cost Basis, total	$ 551

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Damages sought	$ 10

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 17, 2013	Sep. 02, 2012	Feb. 12, 2012	Aug. 28, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,413	$ 3,528	$ 4,389	$ 4,009
Short-term investments	687
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| US Treasury and Government
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	15	12
Short-term investments	$ 671	$ 782

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 17, 2013	Sep. 02, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	$ 4,807	$ 1,382
Less current portion, carrying value	1	1
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, carrying Value	4,806	1,381
Long-term debt, fair value	5,010	1,663
Less current portion, fair value	1	1
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, fair value	5,009	1,662
5.5% Senior Notes due March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	1,098	1,097
Long-term debt, fair value	1,291	1,325
0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	1,199	0
Long-term debt, fair value	1,204	0
1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	1,100	0
Long-term debt, fair value	1,100	0
1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	1,197	0
Long-term debt, fair value	1,191	0
Other Long Term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying value	213	285
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 224	$ 338

Summary of RSU Transactions (Detail) (USD $)		6 Months Ended
Summary of RSU Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 10, 2012	Feb. 17, 2013 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of units
Non-vested Beginning Balance	9,676,000	9,260,000
Granted		4,192,000
Vested and delivered		(3,759,000)
Forfeited		(128,000)
Special cash dividend		732,000
Non-vested Ending Balance	9,676,000	10,297,000
Weighted average grant date fair value
Non-vested Beginning Balance		$ 66.14
Granted		$ 90.99
Vested and delivered		$ 67.34
Forfeited		$ 74.05
Non-vested Ending Balance		$ 73.26

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2013	Feb. 12, 2012
Interest, interest capitalized	$ 8	$ 4

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 17, 2013	Sep. 02, 2012
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000,000	900,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	436,336,000	432,350,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	436,336,000	432,350,000

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Feb. 17, 2013	Mar. 13, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 17, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	COST
Entity Registrant Name	COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW
Entity Central Index Key	0000909832
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		436,371,394

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 07, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note	$ 3,500
0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note	1,200
Senior note, interest rate	0.65%
Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment	Interest is due semi-annually on June 7 and December 7, with the first payment due on June 7, 2013
0.65% Senior Notes due December 2015 \| First Payment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	Jun. 07, 2013
1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note	1,100
Senior note, interest rate	1.125%
Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment	Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013
1.125% Senior Notes due December 2017 \| First Payment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	Jun. 15, 2013
1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note	$ 1,200
Senior note, interest rate	1.70%
Debt instrument frequency of periodic payment	Interest is due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, with the first payment due on June 15, 2013
1.7% Senior Notes due December 2019 \| First Payment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	Jun. 15, 2013

Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 17, 2013	Sep. 02, 2012
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	$ 683
Held-to-maturity, cost basis	551
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis	687
Total investments, Recorded Basis	1,238	1,326
Short-term Investments
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Unrealized gains	4	6
Total investments, Recorded Basis	1,238	1,326
Total investments, Cost Basis	1,234	1,320
Short-term Investments \| US Treasury and Government
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	667	776
Unrealized gains	4	6
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis	671	782
Short-term Investments \| Corporate Debt Securities
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	10	54
Unrealized gains	0	0
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis	10	54
Short-term Investments \| FDIC-Insured Corporate Bonds
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis		35
Unrealized gains		0
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis		35
Short-term Investments \| Asset and Mortgage Backed Securities
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	6	8
Unrealized gains	0	0
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis	6	8
Short-term Investments \| Available-for-sale Securities
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	683	873
Unrealized gains	4	6
Total available-for-sale, Recorded Basis	687	879
Short-term Investments \| Held-to-maturity Securities \| Certificates of Deposit
Available For Sale And Held To Maturity [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, cost basis	551	447
Held-to-maturity, Recorded Basis	$ 551	$ 447