Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) Shares Sold by Rep. Rick W. Allen

Key Points

• Rep. Rick W. Allen sold between $1,001 and $15,000 of Costco stock on September 18, according to a congressional disclosure. He also recently sold AutoZone and Rollins shares while buying Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor.
• Costco reported strong quarterly results, with adjusted EPS of $6.75 beating estimates and revenue rising 11.1% year over year to $95.72 billion. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, equivalent to a 0.6% yield.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,087.40, although Costco’s high valuation and additional insider selling could increase downside risk if growth disappoints.

Representative Rick W. Allen (Republican-Georgia) recently sold shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST). In a filing disclosed on October 14th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $1,001 and $15,000 in Costco Wholesale stock on September 18th. The trade occurred in the Representative's "R.W. ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC. > RWA&A - SECURITIES" account.

Representative Rick W. Allen also recently made the following trade(s):

• Sold $15,001 - $50,000 in shares of AutoZone NYSE: AZO on 9/22/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Broadcom NASDAQ: AVGO on 8/12/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing NYSE: TSM on 8/12/2026.
• Sold $15,001 - $50,000 in shares of Rollins NYSE: ROL on 8/12/2026.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST opened at $978.01 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $433.38 billion, a PE ratio of 47.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.88. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $932.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $963.09. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1 year low of $844.06 and a 1 year high of $1,096.50. 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 (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.87 EPS. Costco Wholesale's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.32%.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Major price-target increase: Tigress Financial raised its COST price target from $1,065 to $1,250 and assigned a “buy” rating, implying substantial potential upside. Costco analyst price target report
• Positive Sentiment: Strong operating momentum: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results support the strength of its membership model and e-commerce business. Costco September sales report
• Positive Sentiment: Defensive positioning: Higher-than-expected inflation has encouraged investors to favor retailers selling essential goods. Costco benefited from this rotation alongside Walmart and Target. Retail defensive-sector rotation
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and expansion: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13. Proposed new warehouses in Oakland and Merced County also point to continued long-term store expansion. Costco dividend announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to expect earnings growth, with one estimate for fiscal 2027 EPS raised to $22.80. However, commentary describing COST as a portfolio-risk amplifier suggests investors remain focused on its correlation with the broader market and premium valuation. Costco market risk analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and insider selling: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable to disappointment in membership, sales or consumer spending trends. Separately, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million, reducing his position by 26.23%. Costco insider sale report

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COST has been the subject of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,091.00 to $1,079.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 28th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $1,125.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Oppenheimer restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $1,160.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Tigress Financial raised their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Twenty-four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $1,087.40.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business's 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Costco Wholesale

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 31.7% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $22,359,224,000 after buying an additional 5,749,362 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 11.5% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer's stock worth $7,488,203,000 after purchasing an additional 773,651 shares during the period. Diamant Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 99,278.0% during the first quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,726,899 shares of the retailer's stock worth $672,690,000 after purchasing an additional 6,720,130 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 838.9% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,125,405 shares of the retailer's stock worth $5,282,182,000 after purchasing an additional 5,472,968 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,328,729 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,732,836,000 after purchasing an additional 143,150 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

About Representative Allen

Rick Allen (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Georgia's 12th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2015. His current term ends on January 3, 2027. Allen (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 12th Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024. Allen was born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1951. He attended Auburn University in Alabama, graduating in 1973 with a B.S. in building construction. After earning his degree, Allen worked as an estimator, project administrator and assistant to the president with a construction firm in Augusta. In 1976, he founded his own construction business, R. W. Allen & Associates, Inc. The company operates in six states across the country. In 2008, Allen was presented with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Person of the Year award.

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.

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