Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Park Avenue Securities LLC

Park Avenue Securities LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,409 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 847 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $22,221,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Segment Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.6% during the third quarter. Segment Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,914 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $19,949,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 22.9% during the third quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 17,221 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $15,677,000 after acquiring an additional 3,206 shares during the period. Odyssey Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Odyssey Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,679 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,528,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. WealthCare Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 128.1% in the third quarter. WealthCare Asset Management LLC now owns 2,646 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,409,000 after buying an additional 1,486 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Plimoth Trust Co. LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 54.3% in the 3rd quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 705 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $642,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. HSBC upgraded shares of Costco Wholesale to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 price objective on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $1,125.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,086.19.

Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total value of $1,054,031.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total value of $2,015,046.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of COST stock opened at $992.13 on Wednesday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a one year low of $844.06 and a one year high of $1,096.50. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $940.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $969.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $439.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.79 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.87 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

More Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Digital and pharmacy growth offer upside. Costco’s AI-driven search traffic and related online sales are reportedly growing at triple-digit rates, while pharmacy sales have increased nearly 20%. Expanded services, including GLP-1 and fertility offerings, could strengthen member engagement and renewal rates. Costco’s AI Search Traffic Soars
• Positive Sentiment: New partnerships may improve member value. NationsBenefits is making healthcare benefits redeemable at more than 600 participating Costco warehouses, potentially increasing traffic and spending among eligible members. NationsBenefits Expands Member Access
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum is improving. Market technician Katie Stockton said Costco’s momentum is strengthening heading into November, reinforcing the bullish view following recent gains and the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat. Costco momentum is improving
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and special-dividend potential provide shareholder support. Costco’s upcoming $1.47 dividend and speculation about a possible special dividend may attract income-oriented investors, although the regular yield remains modest at the current share price. Costco Special Dividend Prospects
• Neutral Sentiment: ETF activity was a modest technical headwind. ETFs were reported as net sellers of COST on October 23, which could add short-term supply but does not materially change Costco’s operating outlook. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is the central concern. With COST trading at roughly 48 times earnings and near record levels, analysts warn that expectations are extremely high. Mixed consumer and macroeconomic conditions mean even a modest slowdown or weaker guidance could pressure the stock. Costco Remains a Defensive Compounder
• Negative Sentiment: A proposed warehouse cancellation removes a potential expansion catalyst. Costco withdrew its application for a warehouse near Highway 55 in Eagle, although the impact is likely limited unless the decision signals broader permitting or expansion challenges. Costco pulls application for warehouse near Highway 55

Costco Wholesale 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.