5,262 Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Milestone Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Milestone Asset Management cut its Costco stake by 74.9% in the third quarter, selling 5,262 shares and retaining 1,768 shares valued at approximately $1.61 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Wall Street remains broadly positive, with 24 analysts rating Costco a Buy and an average price target of $1,087.40, though JPMorgan recently lowered its target to $1,015.
• Costco reported strong quarterly results, including $6.75 in EPS and $95.72 billion in revenue, while shares traded near $989. Despite solid sales growth and a $1.47 quarterly dividend, the stock’s high valuation and macroeconomic risks remain concerns.

Milestone Asset Management LLC lowered its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 74.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,768 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 5,262 shares during the quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 107.7% during the 3rd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 27 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Burk Holdings LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on COST. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of 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. TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 price target on Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $1,160.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Twenty-four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,087.40.

More 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

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:COST traded up $11.10 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $989.11. 2,515,009 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,387,814. The business's 50-day moving average price is $933.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $963.28. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,096.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $438.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.64, a P/E/G ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.87 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio is 28.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents 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 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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