Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports September Sales Results

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) contract with maritime employers, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), is set to expire on the 30th September 2024 and with under 10 weeks remaining, negotiations have stalled, making a strike increasingly likely. Any strike that potentially impacts all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports would cause significant disruption to containerised US import and exports, especially with West Coast port workers potentially refusing to handle diverted cargo in solidarity. However, the ILA has a record of resolving contracts without strikes, with the last major disruption occurring in 1977 and had planned to resolve local jurisdiction contracts before starting master contract talks but these negotiations were cancelled due to a dispute at the Port of Mobile. The USMX has expressed a desire to move forward productively but acknowledges that time is running out.

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2024. The new rates include a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 66 cents to 68 cents. The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 2 percent. As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The international media, services and education company increased its revenues by 1.3 percent year-on-year to €12.1 billion (previous year: €12.0 billion). Bertelsmann's strategic growth businesses were particularly instrumental in this development: RTL Group's digital activities continued their dynamic growth, increasing by around 30 percent to €560 million. The music company BMG grew by 29 percent; the Bertelsmann Education Group recorded growth of 38 percent. Overall, the share of total revenues contributed by the high-growth businesses increased to 32 percent (previous year: 29 percent). Group profit increased to €694 million at September 30, surpassing the previous year's figure by 6.4 percent (previous year: €652 million). The result before sale of investments was therefore at a record level. With capital gains of €69 million, the Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) fund once again made a high contribution to earnings. Click Read More below for additional information.