Costco Declares $30 Special Dividend, Its Largest Ever, and Renews Share Buyback Program

Costco Wholesale announced on November 10 that its board of directors declared a $30 per share special cash dividend, the largest special payout in the company's history. The figure doubles the $15 per share special dividend Costco issued in December 2023, continuing a pattern of returning excess cash to shareholders through periodic one-time distributions on top of its regular quarterly dividend.

Along with the special dividend, Costco's board reauthorized its stock repurchase program, extending the company's commitment to shareholder returns on two fronts simultaneously. Costco has paid special dividends periodically since 2012, and each successive payment has grown larger as the retailer's cash generation has expanded alongside its global warehouse footprint of roughly 939 locations.