Costco Earnings Rise on Overseas Strength

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) reported earnings of 97 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 29, compared with 85 cents per diluted share a year earlier.

Net sales rose to $23.59 billion, from $21.89 billion a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Comparable sales rose 6% from a year earlier, driven by strong international growth.

Earnings for the full year were $2.92 per share, compared with $2.47 per share in fiscal 2009. Net sales for the full fiscal year were $76.25 billion, an increase of 9%. Comparable sales for the year rose 7%.