Customers find tremendous value in being a Costco member, as evidenced by the program's pricing power. Before the leadership team raised annual dues in September, Costco increased membership costs in 2017 and 2011. Despite higher fees for shoppers, the company's membership count keeps expanding, now at 76.2 million households.

Costco Wholesale is scheduled to report earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 after the market closes Thursday, with analysts expecting the retailer to report rising revenue and profits.

Costco stock is slightly higher Friday after the warehouse club beat expectations for its fiscal first quarter. Here's what Wall Street has to say.