Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Purchased by Strategic Planning Group LLC

Strategic Planning Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,854 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 915 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for approximately 2.4% of Strategic Planning Group LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Strategic Planning Group LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $23,537,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Howland Capital Management LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 6.1% during the third quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC now owns 28,588 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $26,025,000 after buying an additional 1,650 shares during the period. Northern Lights Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 69.6% in the third quarter. Northern Lights Advisors Inc. now owns 714 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $650,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares during the period. Legacy Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 12.4% during the third quarter. Legacy Financial Group Inc. now owns 280 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. NBT Bank N.A. purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the third quarter worth approximately $11,936,000. Finally, Adams Diversified Equity Fund Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 154.7% in the 3rd quarter. Adams Diversified Equity Fund Inc. now owns 34,900 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $31,771,000 after acquiring an additional 21,200 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of COST stock traded down $14.89 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1,003.32. The stock had a trading volume of 2,405,591 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,251,754. The firm has a market cap of $444.60 billion, a PE ratio of 48.33, a PEG ratio of 4.35 and a beta of 0.88. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $937.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $963.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. The business’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.87 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share 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 given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is presently 28.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total value of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong. CICC initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, while Tigress Financial raised its price target to $1,250. Erste Group also increased its FY2028 EPS estimate to $25.07 from $25.01, above the current-year consensus estimate of $22.70. CICC coverage article Tigress Financial price target article
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and customer engagement remain key positives. Costco’s membership model has delivered substantial long-term shareholder returns, and the company is reportedly using purchasing data to better target high-spending members. REJURAN Cosmetics is also expanding through Costco’s first Beauty Table program, potentially adding traffic and broadening its premium beauty offering. Costco customer spending article REJURAN retail expansion article
• Neutral Sentiment: Long-term growth screens are favorable, and analysts’ average recommendation is equivalent to a Buy. However, these reports largely reiterate existing optimism rather than provide a new earnings catalyst. Zacks growth stock article
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and competition remain concerns. Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock sensitive to profit-taking or disappointing growth. Kroger is planning major investments and price cuts to win back market share from Costco and Walmart, which could intensify grocery competition and pressure margins. Kroger competition article

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on COST. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,091.00 to $1,079.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $1,000.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Bank of America lowered their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,200.00 to $1,095.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,015.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

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.