Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Acquired by Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 79,611 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,148 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale makes up approximately 0.8% of Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 19th largest position. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $72,473,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 10,188 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $10,222,000 after buying an additional 651 shares during the period. Basso Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter valued at about $497,000. Caldwell Trust Co grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 2.1% in the third quarter. Caldwell Trust Co now owns 16,941 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $15,422,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the period. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 11.5% in the third quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,827 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,663,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the period. Finally, Trace Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.4% during the third quarter. Trace Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,758 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,511,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were 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 approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 2.7%

COST stock opened at $1,046.47 on Thursday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $947.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $971.54. 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 capitalization of $463.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.41, a P/E/G ratio of 4.36 and a beta of 0.85.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. Costco Wholesale’s revenue 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 Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be paid 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 dividend payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco reported October net sales of $24.50 billion, up 12.6% year over year. The solid growth supports the view that customer demand and the warehouse model remain healthy. Costco reports October sales results
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s defensive reputation and loyal membership base may appeal to investors seeking stability in uncertain markets, though this is not a new company-specific catalyst. Costco’s capital-preservation role
• Negative Sentiment: Recent commentary warns that COST’s valuation already reflects substantial optimism. With shares above $1,000 and a rich earnings multiple, the stock may be vulnerable if earnings growth does not justify expectations; the company’s healthcare initiatives have not removed that concern. Costco stock valuation and healthcare push

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on COST shares. Tigress Financial lifted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 15th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, October 30th. They set a “strong-buy” rating for the company. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,011.00 to $955.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 target price on Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

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.