PRICESMART ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2026 FIRST QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS AND PLANS FOR TENTH CLUB IN COSTA RICA

Rhea-AI Summary

PriceSmart (NASDAQ: PSMT) reported fiscal Q1 2026 results for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2025. Total revenues rose 9.9% to $1.383 billion and net merchandise sales increased 10.6% to $1.354 billion (constant‑currency net merchandise sales +9.5%). Comparable net merchandise sales for 54 clubs rose 8.0% (constant currency +6.9%).

Operating income was $62.9 million and net income was $40.2 million, or $1.29 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $86.9 million. The company operated 56 clubs at period end and purchased land for a tenth club in Costa Rica, targeting a fall 2026 opening and a network of 60 clubs once four announced sites open.

Positive

• Net merchandise sales +10.6% to $1.354B for Q1 FY2026
• Membership income +15.9% to $23.4M in Q1 FY2026
• Purchased land and plans to open a new club in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica (target fall 2026)

Negative

• Cash and cash equivalents down ~14.3% to $206.4M from $241.0M (Aug 31, 2025)
• Merchandise inventories up ~10.4% to $618.8M from $560.7M (Aug 31, 2025)

Key Figures

Total revenues $1.38 billion Q1 FY2026, up 9.9% from $1.26 billion in prior-year quarter

Net merchandise sales $1.35 billion Q1 FY2026, up 10.6% from $1.22 billion in Q1 FY2025

Comparable sales growth 8.0% Comparable net merchandise sales, 13 weeks ended Nov 30, 2025

Diluted EPS $1.29 Q1 FY2026 vs $1.21 in Q1 FY2025

Net income $40.2 million Q1 FY2026 vs $37.4 million in prior-year quarter (up 7.3%)

Adjusted EBITDA $86.9 million Q1 FY2026 vs $79.1 million in Q1 FY2025

Constant-currency sales growth 9.5% Net merchandise sales growth on constant-currency basis, Q1 FY2026

Club count target 60 clubs Expected once four new clubs (incl. Ciudad Quesada) open in 2026

Market Reality Check

$133.43 Last Close

Volume Volume 192,666 is slightly below the 20-day average of 196,725 ahead of the release. normal

Technical Price at 127.14 is trading above the 200-day MA of 110.6 and within 3.29% of the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Ahead of this earnings release, PSMT is roughly flat (-0.02%). Peers are mixed: TBBB (-2.7%), OLLI (-0.7%), BJ (-2.14%), while DLTR (+3.5%) and DG (+3.92%) are higher. This points to company-specific drivers rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 04	Earnings call notice	Positive	+0.4%	Scheduled Q1 FY2026 earnings release and conference call details.
Oct 30	Quarterly earnings	Positive	+1.5%	Q4 FY2025 revenue and earnings growth with new Jamaica clubs planned.
Sep 08	Club opening & call	Positive	-1.1%	New Guatemala club opening plus upcoming Q4 FY2025 earnings call.
Jul 10	Quarterly earnings	Positive	+5.3%	Q3 FY2025 sales and earnings growth and exploration of Chile market.

Pattern Detected

Recent company news has mostly seen price moves align with generally positive updates, with one divergence on a growth-focused announcement.

Recent Company History

Over the last few quarters, PriceSmart has consistently reported revenue and net merchandise sales growth alongside steady warehouse club expansion. Prior earnings in July 2025 and October 2025 highlighted rising net income, higher Adjusted EBITDA, and new club plans in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, bringing the network to 56 clubs with more planned. Today’s Q1 FY2026 results—featuring higher revenues, net income, and Adjusted EBITDA plus plans for a tenth Costa Rica club—fit this ongoing growth and expansion narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights solid Q1 FY2026 growth, with total revenues up 9.9%, net merchandise sales up 10.6%, comparable sales rising 8.0%, and diluted EPS increasing to $1.29. Adjusted EBITDA reached $86.9 million. The company now runs 56 clubs and plans to reach 60 with new locations in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Investors may track future quarters for sustained constant-currency growth, execution on club openings, and any changes in cost structure or currency impacts.

Key Terms

adjusted ebitda financial

"Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 was $86.9 million"

Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.

non-gaap financial

"which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these supplemental"

Non-GAAP refers to financial measures that companies use to show their earnings or performance without including certain expenses or income that are often added back to give a different picture. It matters because it can make a company's results look better or more favorable, but it may also hide important costs, so investors need to look at both GAAP (official rules) and non-GAAP numbers to get a full understanding.

constant currency financial

"Net merchandise sales - constant currency increased 9.5% over the comparable"

Constant currency is a way of measuring financial results that removes the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. It allows for a clearer comparison of a company's performance over time by showing what the numbers would look like if exchange rates had stayed the same. This helps investors understand whether growth comes from actual business improvements or just currency fluctuations.

comparable net merchandise sales financial

"Comparable net merchandise sales for the 54 warehouse clubs that have been open"

Comparable net merchandise sales measure the change in product sales from locations or channels that were open and selling merchandise in both the current and prior reporting periods, after deducting returns, discounts and allowances. Investors use it to see underlying, “apple-to-apple” demand growth without the distortion from newly opened or closed stores and one-time events, so it’s a clearer gauge of core business momentum.

operating lease right-of-use assets financial

"Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 119,859 | | 113,479"

An operating lease right-of-use (ROU) asset is an accounting entry that shows the value of a leased item you have the legal right to use—like a building, vehicle, or equipment—recorded on a company’s balance sheet along with the corresponding lease obligation. Investors care because it adds to reported assets and liabilities, changing measures like leverage and return on assets much like bringing a long-term rental onto the company’s financial snapshot, which can affect credit terms and valuation.

deferred tax assets financial

"Deferred tax assets | 42,008 | | 41,229"

An item on a company’s balance sheet showing tax benefits it can use later to reduce future tax bills — think of it as an IOU from the tax system for past losses or timing differences. It matters to investors because it can boost future cash flow and apparent value if the company expects profits ahead, but those benefits vanish if the company cannot generate taxable income and the asset must be reduced.

derivative instruments financial

"for the fair value of derivative instruments) | 66,279 | | 60,375"

Contracts whose value is tied to the price or performance of something else—like a stock, bond, commodity, currency or market index. Think of them as a bet or an insurance policy that lets investors gain exposure, hedge risk, or speculate without owning the asset itself; their use can amplify gains or losses and affect a portfolio’s risk profile, liquidity and potential returns.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This press release may contain forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NET MERCHANDISE SALES GREW 10.6%
COMPARABLE NET MERCHANDISE SALES INCREASED 8.0%
 $1.29 EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PriceSmart, Inc. ("PriceSmart" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PSMT), operator of 56 warehouse clubs in 12 countries and one U.S. territory, today announced results for the fiscal first quarter of 2026, which ended on November 30, 2025.

First Quarter Financial Results

Total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 increased 9.9% to $1.38 billion compared to $1.26 billion in the comparable period of the prior year. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, net merchandise sales increased 10.6% to $1.35 billion from $1.22 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. Net merchandise sales - constant currency increased 9.5% over the comparable prior-year period. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales positively by $13.8 million, or 1.1%, versus the same period in the prior year.  

The Company had 56 warehouse clubs in operation as of November 30, 2025 compared to 54 warehouse clubs in operation as of November 30, 2024.

Comparable net merchandise sales for the 54 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½ calendar months increased 8.0% for the 13-week period ended November 30, 2025 compared to the comparable 13-week period of the prior year. Comparable net merchandise sales - constant currency for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2025 increased 6.9%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales positively by 1.1% versus the same period in the prior year.

The Company recorded operating income during the fiscal first quarter of $62.9 million compared to operating income of $58.3 million in the prior-year period. Net income increased 7.3% to $40.2 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 compared to $37.4 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 was $86.9 million compared to $79.1 million in the same period last year.

Plans for New Club

The Company has purchased land and plans to open its tenth warehouse club in Costa Rica, located in Ciudad Quesada, approximately 47 miles northwest from the nearest club in the capital of San Jose. The club will be built on a six-acre property and is anticipated to open in the fall of 2026. Once this club and three other previously announced clubs are open, the Company will operate 60 warehouse clubs.

Note Regarding Non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) Financial Measures

The foregoing discussion of the Company's operating results includes references to adjusted EBITDA, net merchandise sales - constant currency and comparable net merchandise sales - constant currency, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these supplemental measures are useful to investors and analysts because they exclude items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures later in this document.

Conference Call Information

PriceSmart management will host a conference call at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time (9:00 a.m. Pacific time) on Thursday, January 8, 2026, to discuss the financial results. Individuals interested in participating in the conference call may do so by dialing toll free (800) 715-9871 for domestic callers or +1 (646) 307-1963 for international callers and asking to join the PriceSmart earnings call. A digital replay will be available shortly following the conclusion of the call through Thursday, January 15, 2026, by dialing +1 (800) 770-2030 for domestic callers or +1 (647) 362-9199 for international callers and entering replay passcode 5898084#.

About PriceSmart

PriceSmart, headquartered in San Diego, owns and operates U.S.-style membership shopping warehouse clubs in Latin America and the Caribbean, selling high quality merchandise and providing services at low prices to PriceSmart Members. PriceSmart operates 56 warehouse clubs in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (ten in Colombia; nine in Costa Rica; seven each in Panama and Guatemala; five in Dominican Republic; four each in Trinidad and El Salvador; three in Honduras; two each in Nicaragua and Jamaica; and one each in Aruba, Barbados and the United States Virgin Islands). In addition, the Company plans to open one new warehouse club in La Romana, Dominican Republic in the spring of 2026, one warehouse club in Montego Bay and South Camp Road (Kingston), Jamaica in the fall and winter of 2026, respectively, and one warehouse club in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica in the fall of 2026. Once these four new clubs are open, the Company will operate 60 warehouse clubs.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart, Inc.'s ("PriceSmart", the "Company" or "we") anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flows, future dividends, omni-channel initiatives, proposed warehouse club openings, the Company's performance relative to competitors and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words "expect," "believe," "will," "may," "should," "project," "estimate," "anticipated," "scheduled," "intend," and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to: various political, economic and compliance risks associated with our international operations, including the effects of tariffs and/or international trade wards and disruptions to remittances, adverse changes in economic conditions in our markets, natural disasters, volatility in currency exchange rates and illiquidity of certain local currencies in our markets, competition, consumer and small business spending patterns, political instability, increased costs associated with the integration of online commerce with our traditional business, whether the Company can successfully execute strategic initiatives, our reliance on third party service providers, including those who support transaction and payment processing, data security and other technology services, cybersecurity breaches that could cause disruptions in our systems or jeopardize the security of Member, employee or business information, cost increases from product and service providers, interruption of supply chains, exposure to product liability claims and product recalls, recoverability of moneys owed to PriceSmart from governments, and other important factors discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update them, except as required by law. In addition, these risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company considers to be immaterial.

For further information, please contact Investor Relations (858) 404-8826 or send an email to ir@pricesmart.com.

 

PRICESMART, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
	Three Months Ended
	November 30, 2025		November 30, 2024
Revenues:
Net merchandise sales	$                 1,353,796		$                 1,223,859
Export sales	127		9,618
Membership income	23,420		20,199
Other revenue and income	5,386		4,268
Total revenues	1,382,729		1,257,944
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods sold:
Net merchandise sales	1,138,182		1,029,877
Export sales	162		9,013
Selling, general and administrative:
Warehouse club and other operations	131,815		117,855
General and administrative	49,308		42,565
Pre-opening expenses	2		22
Loss on disposal of assets	333		352
Total operating expenses	1,319,802		1,199,684
Operating income	62,927		58,260
Other income (expense):
Interest income	2,949		2,220
Interest expense	(4,420)		(2,695)
Other expense, net	(5,761)		(6,856)
Total other expense	(7,232)		(7,331)
Income before provision for income taxes and loss of unconsolidated affiliates	55,695		50,929
Provision for income taxes	(15,529)		(13,496)
Loss of unconsolidated affiliates	—		(5)
Net income	$                      40,166		$                      37,428
Net income per share available for distribution:
Basic	$                          1.29		$                          1.21
Diluted	$                          1.29		$                          1.21
Shares used in per share computations:
Basic	30,173		30,019
Diluted	30,180		30,020

 

PRICESMART, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
	November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)		August 31, 2025
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$         206,419		$         241,024
Short-term restricted cash	9,212		11,061
Short-term investments	114,160		73,186
Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $2 as of November 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025	20,791		17,400
Merchandise inventories	618,848		560,730
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	83,189		71,059
Total current assets	1,052,619		974,460
Long-term restricted cash	33,926		33,206
Property and equipment, net	1,035,967		996,281
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	119,859		113,479
Goodwill	43,240		43,238
Deferred tax assets	42,008		41,229
Other non-current assets (includes $552 and $701 as of November 30, 2025 and August  31, 2025, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)	66,279		60,375
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—		6,889
Total Assets	$      2,393,898		$      2,269,157
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$              7,701		$           12,286
Accounts payable	571,578		506,949
Accrued salaries and benefits	42,327		52,478
Deferred income	44,879		43,061
Income taxes payable	6,086		7,265
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities (includes $3,340 and $551 as of  November 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)	71,863		57,627
Operating lease liabilities, current portion	7,868		7,930
Long-term debt, current portion	36,598		38,675
Total current liabilities	788,900		726,271
Deferred tax liability	653		1,100
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion	5,079		4,424
Long-term operating lease liabilities	129,268		122,244
Long-term debt, net of current portion	143,735		147,922
Other long-term liabilities (includes $7,269 and $6,196 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $14,203 and $13,628 for post-employment plans as of November 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025, respectively)	21,473		19,824
Total Liabilities	1,089,108		1,021,785
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 32,799,742 and 32,688,047 shares  issued and 30,816,360 and 30,745,833 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of November 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025, respectively	3		3
Additional paid-in capital	535,032		529,354
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(144,796)		(161,439)
Retained earnings	1,039,592		999,426
Less: treasury stock at cost, 1,983,382 shares as of November 30, 2025 and 1,942,214 shares as of  August 31, 2025	(125,041)		(119,972)
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,304,790		1,247,372
Total Liabilities and Equity	$      2,393,898		$      2,269,157

Non–GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) Financial Measures

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). In addition to relevant GAAP measures, we also provide non-GAAP measures including Adjusted EBITDA, net merchandise sales - constant currency and comparable net merchandise sales - constant currency because management believes these metrics are useful to investors and analysts by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. These measures are customary for our industry and commonly used by competitors. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as an alternative to any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry or across different industries.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain other items, including interest income and other income (expense), net. The following is a reconciliation of our Net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands)	November 30, 2025		November 30, 2024
Net income as reported	$                          40,166		$                          37,428
Adjustments:
Interest expense	4,420		2,695
Provision for income taxes	15,529		13,496
Depreciation and amortization	23,977		20,862
Interest income	(2,949)		(2,220)
Other expense, net (1)	5,761		6,856
Adjusted EBITDA	$                          86,904		$                          79,117

(1) Primarily consists of transaction costs of converting the local currencies into available tradable currencies in some of our countries with liquidity issues and foreign currency losses or gains due to the revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities (primarily U.S. dollars) for the three months ended November 30, 2025 and 2024.

Net Merchandise Sales - Constant Currency and Comparable Net Merchandise Sales – Constant Currency

As a multinational enterprise, we are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The translation of the operations of our foreign-based entities from their local currencies into U.S. dollars is sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and can have a significant impact on our reported financial results. We believe that constant currency is a useful measure, indicating the actual growth of our operations. When we use the term "net merchandise sales – constant currency," it means that we have translated current year net merchandise sales at prior year monthly average exchange rates. Net merchandise sales - constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation. Similarly, when we use the term "comparable net merchandise sales – constant currency," it means that we have translated current year comparable net merchandise sales at prior year monthly average exchange rates. Comparable net merchandise sales – constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation. Refer to "Management's Discussion & Analysis – Net Merchandise Sales" and "Management's Discussion & Analysis – Comparable Net Merchandise Sales" for our quantitative analysis and discussion. Reconciliations between net merchandise sales – constant currency and comparable net merchandise sales - constant currency and the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included below.

Net merchandise sales growth rate on a net merchandise sales - constant currency basis is calculated as follows:

	November 30, 2025
	Three Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands, except % growth)	Net merchandise sales		% Growth
Net merchandise sales	$                  1,353,796		10.6 %
Favorable impact of foreign currency exchange	13,816		1.1 %
Net merchandise sales on a constant-currency basis	$                  1,339,980		9.5 %

Comparable net merchandise sales growth rate on a net merchandise sales - constant currency basis is calculated as follows:

	November 30, 2025
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	% Growth
Comparable net merchandise sales	8.0 %
Favorable impact of foreign currency exchange	1.1 %
Comparable net merchandise sales on a constant-currency basis	6.9 %

 

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SOURCE PriceSmart, Inc.

FAQ

What were PriceSmart (PSMT) Q1 fiscal 2026 revenues and EPS on January 7, 2026?

PriceSmart reported Q1 FY2026 total revenues of $1.383B and net income of $40.2M, or $1.29 per diluted share.

How much did PriceSmart (PSMT) net merchandise sales grow in Q1 FY2026?

Net merchandise sales increased 10.6% to $1.354B for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2025.

What did PriceSmart announce about new club openings and the planned club count for 2026?

PriceSmart purchased land for a new club in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica (target fall 2026) and plans three other previously announced clubs, reaching a total of 60 warehouse clubs once open.

What was PriceSmart's Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 FY2026 (PSMT)?

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $86.9M for the three months ended November 30, 2025.

Did PriceSmart (PSMT) report comparable club sales growth in Q1 FY2026?

Yes. Comparable net merchandise sales for the 54 clubs open >13½ months rose 8.0% for the quarter (constant currency +6.9%).