Baird Financial Group Inc. Buys 6,864 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 622,012 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 6,864 shares during the quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.14% of Costco Wholesale worth $581,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Stableford Capital II LLC increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 9.3% during the second quarter. Stableford Capital II LLC now owns 1,247 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,167,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the period. BayBridge Capital Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.8% during the second quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC now owns 1,828 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,710,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Connective Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1,790.1% during the second quarter. Connective Capital Management LLC now owns 5,935 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,552,000 after buying an additional 5,621 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.2% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 123,105 shares of the retailer's stock worth $115,161,000 after buying an additional 1,493 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Waverly Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 79.2% during the second quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 87,623 shares of the retailer's stock worth $81,968,000 after buying an additional 38,723 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, Director Kenneth Denman sold 885 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $957.45, for a total transaction of $847,343.25. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,779 shares in the company, valued at $4,575,653.55. The trade was a 15.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on COST shares. Freedom Broker upgraded Costco Wholesale from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $1,030.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They issued a "sector perform" rating and a $1,000.00 target price for the company. DA Davidson reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $1,000.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Costco Wholesale from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Twenty-two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,056.03.

Key Stories Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase supports the investment case. Costco recently raised its dividend by 13%, reinforcing confidence in cash generation and adding to the appeal of the membership-based retailer, although the regular yield remains modest and special dividends can make the headline payout appear higher. Costco dividend article
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term business fundamentals remain a bullish backdrop. Analysts and commentators continue to point to Costco’s scale, limited product assortment, purchasing advantages and resilient same-store sales as reasons the stock could recover after trailing the S&P 500 and trading below its 52-week high. Fourth-quarter results, expected later this month, are the next major potential catalyst. Costco earnings preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Motor-oil pricing reflects supply pressures rather than a company-specific demand problem. Costco raised the price of a 10-quart case of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil to $57.99 and limited purchases to two cases per member per week. The changes follow higher crude-oil prices and supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions and Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline closure. Higher prices may protect margins, but the restrictions could affect customer sentiment. Costco motor oil article
• Negative Sentiment: Rationing and sharply higher prices create reputational and traffic risks. Reports that Costco has also capped purchases of Mobil 1 oil—and that some motor-oil prices have risen substantially from last year—evoke earlier pandemic-era product shortages. While the merchandise is a small portion of revenue, frustrated members could view the move negatively or defer purchases. Costco motor oil rationing article
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation leaves limited room for disappointment. Costco trades at a premium earnings multiple, so investors may require strong sales, membership trends and profit guidance from the upcoming report to justify the valuation. Rising merchandise and operating costs could pressure margins if Costco cannot pass them through broadly. Costco stock performance article

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of Costco Wholesale stock opened at $918.91 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $939.46 and a 200 day moving average of $973.86. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52 week low of $844.06 and a 52 week high of $1,096.50. The company has a market cap of $407.52 billion, a PE ratio of 46.22, a P/E/G ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 24th were given a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 24th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.58%.

Costco Wholesale Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership-based warehouse clubs that offer a broad selection of merchandise at generally competitive prices. Its product range includes groceries, fresh foods, apparel, appliances, electronics, furniture, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal goods, along with private-label products sold under the Kirkland Signature brand.

The company also provides a variety of ancillary services, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical centers, hearing-aid centers, food courts, tire centers, and travel services.

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