Dive Brief:

• Thanks in part to a $57 million tax benefit that accrued from a special cash dividend last month, Costco Wholesale sailed past its 2015 Q2 profit expectations, the company said Thursday.

• Total revenue, including membership fees, increased 4.4% to 27.45 billion and sales increased 4.3% to $26.87 billion.

• Same-store sales saw an 8% increase in sales, not including fuel, beating expectations of closer to 6.4%. Same-store sales in February alone increased 1%, matching expectations of 0.9%.

Dive Insight:

Costco’s report is pretty sunny, considering the weather and the continuing inventory issues at West Coast ports, both of which are peppering the earnings reports of many other retailers with holes.

But, some analysts aren't celebrating anytime soon. John Heinbockel, analyst at Guggenheim Securities, told CNBC that he believes lower gas prices contributed to Costco's good report, warning that operating momentum at the retailer might slow in the upcoming year.