Compiled 2026-09-26Data through 2026-02-012 min read
Dated source-based research · No live market data

Observation

Across 16 eligible consumer companies, the equal-weight median operating margin was 12.46% for the latest selected annual periods.

Data context

The eligible sample covers 16 of 17 selected companies. The latest selected annual periods span 2025-08-31 to 2026-02-01. Companies have different fiscal year ends. This is a cross-sectional research sample, not a calendar-year index or a representation of the full sector.

Company evidence

AMZN 11.16% (period 2025-12-31); TSLA 4.59% (period 2025-12-31); WMT 4.22% (period 2026-01-31); COST 3.77% (period 2025-08-31); HD 12.69% (period 2026-02-01); MCD 46.10% (period 2025-12-31); BKNG 32.79% (period 2025-12-31); SBUX 7.90% (period 2025-09-28); LOW 11.77% (period 2026-01-30); ABNB 20.78% (period 2025-12-31); MAR 15.81% (period 2025-12-31); KO 28.71% (period 2025-12-31); PM 36.64% (period 2025-12-31); PEP 12.24% (period 2025-12-27); MNST 29.17% (period 2025-12-31); MDLZ 9.21% (period 2025-12-31).

Distribution

The sample range is 3.77% (COST) to 46.10% (MCD). The median is computed across company ratios with equal weight; it is not a ratio of aggregate totals. Extreme values can reflect a small denominator or unusual accounting items.

Interpretation

Retailers, consumer brands and service platforms balance demand, price, unit volume and operating costs. The numerator is operatingIncome; the denominator is revenue. Only positive denominators and disclosed numerators qualify. No missing value is replaced with zero.

What to watch

Unit volumes, comparable sales, inventory, pricing and operating leverage.

Research limitations

Consumer affordability, input inflation, competitive promotions and discretionary demand. The sample uses a September 18, 2026 source snapshot. It does not establish current market conditions, causal drivers or future returns. Sector labels are editorial and the financial-sector cash-flow measures need particular caution.

Company-level observations · percent
CompanyValuePeriod end
AMZN11.16%2025-12-31
TSLA4.59%2025-12-31
WMT4.22%2026-01-31
COST3.77%2025-08-31
HD12.69%2026-02-01
MCD46.10%2025-12-31
BKNG32.79%2025-12-31
SBUX7.90%2025-09-28
LOW11.77%2026-01-30
ABNB20.78%2025-12-31
MAR15.81%2025-12-31
KO28.71%2025-12-31
PM36.64%2025-12-31
PEP12.24%2025-12-27
MNST29.17%2025-12-31
MDLZ9.21%2025-12-31

Sources & dates