Earnings per share for the first quarterof Costco's fiscal 2015 rose from $0.96 to $1.12 as comparable-store sales increased 5% (or 7% excluding the negative impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and gasoline price deflation ). As a result, when gasoline prices fall as much as they did last quarter, the modest lag in conveying those savings to shoppers creates a gross margin tailwind for Costco. Growth in China coming -- eventually Costco has made a significant move into Asia in the past few years, growing rapidly in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.