Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Holdings Lifted by AdvisorNet Financial Inc

Key Points

• Institutional ownership increased: AdvisorNet Financial raised its Costco position by 14.4% in the third quarter to 8,091 shares valued at approximately $7.2 million. Hedge funds and other institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of the company.
• Business performance remains strong: Costco reported quarterly revenue of $95.72 billion, up 11.1% year over year, and earnings of $6.75 per share, exceeding analyst expectations. September net sales rose 13%, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%.
• Analyst sentiment is favorable but valuation is elevated: Costco carries a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $1,087.40, though its price-to-earnings ratio near 47.6 leaves the stock exposed to slower growth, inflation and higher interest rates.

AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,091 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 1,020 shares during the quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $7,223,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sarasin & Partners LLP increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 214,194 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $200,372,000 after purchasing an additional 13,795 shares during the period. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan now owns 158,416 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $148,193,000 after purchasing an additional 6,200 shares in the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter valued at about $16,013,000. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 9.0% during the second quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 68,762 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $64,325,000 after buying an additional 5,656 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 15.0% during the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,766 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $21,297,000 after buying an additional 2,974 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on COST. Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson raised their price target 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. Guggenheim reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, September 28th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, HSBC upgraded Costco Wholesale to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,087.40.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

NASDAQ COST opened at $989.11 on Friday. 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. The company has a market cap of $438.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.64, a PEG ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.88. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $933.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $963.28.

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

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

Costco Wholesale 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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