Overview

• Costco raises annual membership fees by $5 for Gold Star and $10 for Executive members starting September.
• The fee increase is the company's first since 2017, affecting 52 million members in the US and Canada.
• Despite initial market enthusiasm, Costco shares dropped 4% by the end of the trading day.
• Analysts suggest the modest hike was expected and less than anticipated, contributing to the stock decline.
• Costco's membership fees, though small in percentage of total revenue, significantly impact its operating profit.