Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Sold by Goelzer Investment Management Inc.

Goelzer Investment Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 13.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,907 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 1,239 shares during the quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $7,198,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Baugh & Associates LLC raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Baugh & Associates LLC now owns 9,903 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $8,303,000 after buying an additional 498 shares during the last quarter. Benchmark Financial LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Benchmark Financial LLC now owns 788 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $718,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,949 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $3,595,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the period. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. now owns 596 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $543,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, ACT Advisors LLC. grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 908.8% during the 3rd quarter. ACT Advisors LLC. now owns 2,300 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,094,000 after purchasing an additional 2,072 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of COST opened at $989.11 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,096.50. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $933.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $963.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market cap of $438.30 billion, a PE ratio of 47.64, a P/E/G ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.87 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is 28.32%.

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:

• Positive Sentiment: September sales accelerated: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results reinforce the strength of Costco’s membership model, e-commerce business and value-focused offering. September Sales Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong: Tigress Financial reiterated a Buy rating while setting a $1,065 price target after previously publicizing a higher $1,250 target. Other coverage highlights Costco’s sales growth, membership loyalty and digital gains, supporting the recent recovery above key moving averages. Tigress Financial Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend maintained: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. While the approximately 0.6% yield is modest, the payment signals continued cash-flow strength. Costco Dividend Announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Expansion pipeline: Proposed warehouse projects in Macon and Oakland, along with a planned Merced County relocation, point to continued investment in Costco’s store network. Infrastructure financing of up to $30 million could support the Macon development. Macon Costco Project
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s fiscal 2027 executive bonus plan adds sustainability-related measures. The change may support long-term operational goals, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Costco Executive Bonus Update
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and macro risks remain: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable if growth or membership trends slow. Persistent inflation and potentially higher interest rates could also pressure consumer spending and market valuations.
• Negative Sentiment: An executive sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million. The transaction is relatively small compared with Costco’s market value, but it may add a modest cautionary signal for investors. Costco Insider Sale

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on COST shares. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Raymond James Financial cut their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Tigress Financial upped their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Monday, September 28th. Twenty-four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,087.40.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh foods, beverages, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal products. It also offers services such as gasoline, pharmacies, optical departments, hearing-aid centers, food courts, travel services, and business delivery in selected markets.

Costco markets many products under its private-label Kirkland Signature brand and sells merchandise through warehouse locations and e-commerce platforms.