Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Bought by Simplicity Wealth LLC

Key Points

• Simplicity Wealth increased its Costco position by 7.3% in the third quarter, holding 26,224 shares valued at approximately $23.9 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco’s outstanding stock.
• Costco reported quarterly earnings of $6.75 per share, exceeding estimates, while revenue rose 11.1% year over year to $95.72 billion. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, implying a 0.6% annualized yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $1,086.19, although Costco’s elevated valuation and intensifying grocery competition remain key risks.

Simplicity Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 7.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 26,224 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 1,775 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises approximately 0.7% of Simplicity Wealth LLC's holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Simplicity Wealth LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $23,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in COST. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 31.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $22,359,224,000 after purchasing an additional 5,749,362 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.5% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer's stock worth $7,488,203,000 after purchasing an additional 773,651 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 5.5% during the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,068,312 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,870,314,000 after purchasing an additional 160,893 shares in the last quarter. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.1% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,839,016 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,828,881,000 after purchasing an additional 283,360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ascentis Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 2,497,652 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on COST shares. DA Davidson increased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Raymond James Financial reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,065.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, September 28th. Finally, BTIG Research reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $1,125.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Twenty-five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,086.19.

More Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong. CICC initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, while Tigress Financial raised its price target to $1,250. Erste Group also increased its FY2028 EPS estimate to $25.07 from $25.01, above the current-year consensus estimate of $22.70. CICC coverage article Tigress Financial price target article
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and customer engagement remain key positives. Costco’s membership model has delivered substantial long-term shareholder returns, and the company is reportedly using purchasing data to better target high-spending members. REJURAN Cosmetics is also expanding through Costco’s first Beauty Table program, potentially adding traffic and broadening its premium beauty offering. Costco customer spending article REJURAN retail expansion article
• Neutral Sentiment: Long-term growth screens are favorable, and analysts’ average recommendation is equivalent to a Buy. However, these reports largely reiterate existing optimism rather than provide a new earnings catalyst. Zacks growth stock article
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and competition remain concerns. Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock sensitive to profit-taking or disappointing growth. Kroger is planning major investments and price cuts to win back market share from Costco and Walmart, which could intensify grocery competition and pressure margins. Kroger competition article

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,003.32 on Monday. 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 firm has a 50-day moving average of $937.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $962.82. The stock has a market cap of $444.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.33, a PEG ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50.

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

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.32%.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.