Historical source-based research. Compilation date and financial period are different dates.

Observation

Across 11 eligible consumer companies, the equal-weight median capital expenditure as a share of revenue was 3.53% for the prior selected annual periods.

Data context

The eligible sample covers 11 of 15 selected companies. The prior selected annual periods span 2024-09-01 to 2025-02-01. 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

TSLA 11.61% (period 2024-12-31); WMT 3.53% (period 2025-01-31); COST 1.85% (period 2024-09-01); MCD 10.71% (period 2024-12-31); TJX 3.40% (period 2025-02-01); BKNG 1.81% (period 2024-12-31); SBUX 7.68% (period 2024-09-29); LOW 2.30% (period 2025-01-31); MAR 2.99% (period 2024-12-31); KO 4.39% (period 2024-12-31); MDLZ 3.81% (period 2024-12-31).

Distribution

The sample range is 1.81% (BKNG) to 11.61% (TSLA). 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 capex; 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 / selected annual periods
CompanyValuePeriod end
TSLA11.61%2024-12-31
WMT3.53%2025-01-31
COST1.85%2024-09-01
MCD10.71%2024-12-31
TJX3.40%2025-02-01
BKNG1.81%2024-12-31
SBUX7.68%2024-09-29
LOW2.30%2025-01-31
MAR2.99%2024-12-31
KO4.39%2024-12-31
MDLZ3.81%2024-12-31

Sources & dates

Methodology protocol ↗SMS research updates ↗