2,197 Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Financial & Tax Architects LLC

Key Points

• Financial & Tax Architects LLC cut its Costco stake by 86.5%, selling 2,197 shares and retaining 344 shares valued at approximately $313,000. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco reported strong quarterly results, with revenue rising 11.1% year over year to $95.72 billion and EPS of $6.75, exceeding analyst expectations.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,087.40, while Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share. The stock’s elevated valuation, including a P/E ratio of 47.64, remains a key risk.

Financial & Tax Architects LLC reduced its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 86.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 344 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 2,197 shares during the period. Financial & Tax Architects LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $313,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Effects LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 874 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $871,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 551 shares of the retailer's stock worth $549,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. First National Bank of Hutchinson raised its holdings 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 worth $1,094,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.0% during 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 boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 0.8% in the first 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 in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 1.1%

Costco Wholesale stock opened at $989.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.06. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1 year low of $844.06 and a 1 year high of $1,096.50. The firm's 50-day moving average is $933.15 and its 200-day moving average is $963.28. The company has a market cap of $438.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.64, a PEG ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 firm had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. Costco Wholesale's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.87 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

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 of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.32%.

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: September sales accelerated: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results reinforce the strength of Costco’s membership model, e-commerce business and value-focused offering. September Sales Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong: Tigress Financial reiterated a Buy rating while setting a $1,065 price target after previously publicizing a higher $1,250 target. Other coverage highlights Costco’s sales growth, membership loyalty and digital gains, supporting the recent recovery above key moving averages. Tigress Financial Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend maintained: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. While the approximately 0.6% yield is modest, the payment signals continued cash-flow strength. Costco Dividend Announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Expansion pipeline: Proposed warehouse projects in Macon and Oakland, along with a planned Merced County relocation, point to continued investment in Costco’s store network. Infrastructure financing of up to $30 million could support the Macon development. Macon Costco Project
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s fiscal 2027 executive bonus plan adds sustainability-related measures. The change may support long-term operational goals, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Costco Executive Bonus Update
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and macro risks remain: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable if growth or membership trends slow. Persistent inflation and potentially higher interest rates could also pressure consumer spending and market valuations.
• Negative Sentiment: An executive sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million. The transaction is relatively small compared with Costco’s market value, but it may add a modest cautionary signal for investors. Costco Insider Sale

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COST has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Freedom Broker lowered their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,030.00 to $1,010.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson upped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Raymond James Financial lowered their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $1,087.40.

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm's 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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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