Costco Wholesale Corporation has announced its fourth quarter earnings, revealing a strong profit that surpassed Wall Street expectations; however, the company's revenue fell short of estimates. With net sales reaching $78.2 billion, a modest 1% increase, Costco's growth has shown some signs of slowing down, particularly with muted spending from consumers. While the profit rise can be partially attributed to an increase in traffic and e-commerce sales, the overall performance reflects challenges within the retail sector. Analysts had anticipated a more robust revenue figure amid expectations of growth following a recent membership fee hike. Shares have reacted negatively following the report, indicating a cautious outlook on Costco's financial trajectory.