Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Bought by IFP Advisors Inc

Key Points

• IFP Advisors increased its Costco stake by 43.4% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 42,484 shares valued at approximately $38.7 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Costco reported strong operating results, with quarterly revenue rising 11.1% year over year to $95.72 billion and EPS of $6.75, exceeding analyst expectations.
• Shares remain highly valued, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.64 despite broad analyst support and a “Moderate Buy” consensus. Costco also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, while recent executive stock sales provide a modest cautionary signal.

IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 43.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 42,484 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 12,856 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises 0.6% of IFP Advisors Inc's investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. IFP Advisors Inc's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $38,675,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter worth approximately $6,781,946,000. Diamant Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 99,278.0% in the first quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,726,899 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $672,690,000 after acquiring an additional 6,720,130 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 5,749,362 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth approximately $2,362,188,000. Finally, Ascentis Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 103,637.0% in the second quarter. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,500,062 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,549,616,000 after acquiring an additional 2,497,652 shares during the last quarter. 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

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

COST stock opened at $989.11 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $933.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $963.04. The stock has a market cap of $438.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.64, a PEG ratio of 4.23 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

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

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business 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 dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

COST has been the subject of several analyst reports. Roth Capital reiterated a "sell" rating and set a $781.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. UBS Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Argus restated a "buy" rating and issued a $1,230.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Monday, September 28th. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $1,087.40.

About Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells merchandise in bulk and at competitive prices through warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms, serving individual consumers, businesses and other organizations.

Its product selection includes groceries and fresh foods, household supplies, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, health and beauty products, jewelry, automotive products and prescription drugs. Costco also provides services such as optical care, pharmacy services, hearing-aid sales, travel offerings and fuel sales, depending on location.

The company traces its roots to Price Club, which opened in San Diego in 1976.

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