Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Holdings Raised by Vest Financial LLC

Vest Financial LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 13.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 84,054 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 10,058 shares during the quarter. Vest Financial LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $76,518,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wealth Effects LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.2% during the first quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 874 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $871,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.8% during the first quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 551 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 0.9% in the first quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson now owns 1,098 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,094,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 1.0% in the first quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,049 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,045,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Main Street Group LTD grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Main Street Group LTD now owns 1,226 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,221,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Costco Wholesale from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $1,125.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,144.00 to $1,143.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of Costco Wholesale stock opened at $1,018.21 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $451.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.27 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a twelve month low of $844.06 and a twelve month high of $1,096.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $937.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $962.93.

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

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.32%.

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism: Tigress Financial raised its price target to $1,250, while CICC initiated coverage with an “outperform” rating. These actions reinforce the bullish view that Costco’s membership income, sales growth and customer loyalty can support further gains. Tigress Financial raises target for Costco Wholesale stock
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term performance and growth potential: A retrospective analysis said $1,000 invested in Costco 10 years ago would have grown to $8,018, substantially outperforming the S&P 500. Another report highlighted potential upside surprises, including continued membership growth and resilient consumer demand. Costco Turned $1,000 Into $8,018
• Positive Sentiment: Potential stock split: Costco’s CEO said a stock split is regularly discussed by the board. No split was announced, but speculation could improve accessibility for employees and smaller investors following the stock’s strong appreciation. Costco’s Last Stock Split Was in 2000
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation remains a concern: Costco trades at the highest earnings multiple among several major retailers, despite having a relatively low operating margin. Its premium valuation leaves less room for disappointment if growth or membership trends slow. Are You Overpaying For Costco Stock Versus Its Rivals?
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure is increasing: Kroger plans to spend $5 billion on lower prices and technology after acknowledging market-share losses to Walmart and Costco. More aggressive grocery pricing could pressure Costco’s traffic, margins or competitive advantage. Kroger Is Spending $5 Billion to Cut Prices

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

About Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells merchandise in bulk and at competitive prices through warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms, serving individual consumers, businesses and other organizations.

Its product selection includes groceries and fresh foods, household supplies, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, health and beauty products, jewelry, automotive products and prescription drugs. Costco also provides services such as optical care, pharmacy services, hearing-aid sales, travel offerings and fuel sales, depending on location.

The company traces its roots to Price Club, which opened in San Diego in 1976.