Costco sets 2026 bonuses: 120% target; others up to $371,200

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Costco Wholesale Corporation outlined its fiscal 2026 executive bonus plan. Executive officers (excluding the CEO) can earn up to $371,200, with $128,000 tied to sales and $128,000 to pre-tax income; each component can pay from zero to 120% of target, plus up to $64,000 for environmental and social goals. The CEO is eligible for up to $1.12 million, including $400,000 for sales, $400,000 for pre-tax income, and $160,000 for environmental and social metrics.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

FALSECOSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW000090983200009098322025-10-142025-10-14

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 14, 2025

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington

0-20355

91-1223280

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File No.)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

999 Lake Drive

Issaquah, WA 98027

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.005 per share

COST

NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02.    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 14, 2025, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the fiscal 2026 criteria for bonuses to executive officers, with the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board also approving the environmental and social performance criteria. Executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer are eligible to receive bonuses up to $371,200. The base amounts include $128,000 based on targets relating to sales and $128,000 based on targets relating to pre-tax income. The potential payment attributable to each goal may be from zero to up to 120% of the target amount, based on the level of achievement. In addition, up to $64,000 can be earned relating to environmental and social objectives based on quantitative performance metrics (including those concerning human capital and environmental-related areas).

For fiscal 2026, the Chief Executive Officer is eligible to receive a bonus of up to $1.12 million. The base amounts include $400,000 based on targets relating to sales and $400,000 based on targets relating to pre-tax income. The potential payment attributable to each goal may be from zero to up to 120% of the target amount, based on the level of achievement. In addition, $160,000 can be earned relating to environmental and social metrics (as discussed above).

A copy of the Fiscal 2026 Executive Bonus Plan is attached as Exhibit 10.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

10.1.    Fiscal 2026 Executive Bonus Plan.

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURE

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, hereunto duly authorized.

						COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
Dated: October 20, 2025						By:			/s/ John Sullivan
									John Sullivan
									Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What did COST disclose in its 8-K about executive bonuses?

Costco approved fiscal 2026 bonus criteria, covering sales, pre-tax income, and environmental/social metrics with defined maximum payouts.

What is the CEO’s maximum fiscal 2026 bonus at COST?

Up to $1.12 million, including $400,000 tied to sales, $400,000 to pre-tax income, and $160,000 to environmental and social metrics.

What can other COST executive officers earn under the plan?

Up to $371,200 each, with $128,000 tied to sales, $128,000 to pre-tax income, and up to $64,000 for environmental and social objectives.

How do performance targets affect payouts for COST executives?

Each goal (sales and pre-tax income) can pay from zero to 120% of its target amount, depending on achievement.

Who approved COST’s environmental and social performance criteria?

The Nominating and Governance Committee approved the environmental and social criteria; the Compensation Committee approved the overall bonus criteria.

Where can I find the full details of COST’s FY2026 bonus plan?

See Exhibit 10.1 titled “Fiscal 2026 Executive Bonus Plan.”