Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Bought by West Wealth Group LLC

Key Points

• West Wealth Group increased its Costco stake by 2,331.9% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 18,896 shares worth approximately $17.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $6.75 in EPS and $95.72 billion in revenue, with revenue up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share.
• Analysts maintain a generally favorable outlook, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $1,081.79, but Costco’s elevated P/E ratio of 47.30 leaves the stock exposed if growth or consumer spending slows.

West Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 2,331.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,896 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 18,119 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises about 1.8% of West Wealth Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. West Wealth Group LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $17,202,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Reliant Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $24,042,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 7.9% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,500 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Strategy Asset Managers LLC boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 3,474 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,162,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the period. Sloy Dahl & Holst LLC grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. Sloy Dahl & Holst LLC now owns 1,591 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,448,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Godsey & Gibb Inc. grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 27,833 shares of the retailer's stock worth $25,333,000 after purchasing an additional 1,091 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Defensive-sector rotation: Higher inflation prompted investors to move toward companies selling everyday necessities. Costco benefited alongside Walmart and Target as a perceived defensive retailer. Walmart Advances as Inflation Data Sends Money Into Defensives
• Positive Sentiment: Strong September sales momentum: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales rose 19%. The figures reinforce the strength of its membership, value-focused pricing and e-commerce operations. Costco September Sales Jump and Faster Digital Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend declared: Costco’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. The payout provides a modest shareholder return and signals continued confidence in cash generation. Costco Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Expansion and balance-sheet support: Analysts highlighted Costco’s approximately $21.3 billion liquidity cushion, manageable debt and robust cash flows as advantages for funding new warehouses and digital investments. A Florida city council also gave an early approval for a new store. How Costco’s Balance Sheet Gives It an Edge
• Positive Sentiment: Positive earnings expectations: Erste Group raised its FY2027 EPS forecast to $22.80 from $22.67 and expects $25.01 for FY2028, modestly above the company’s current-year consensus outlook. Costco analyst estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles highlighting Costco’s influence on home-buying decisions, younger membership growth and exclusive seasonal products reinforce brand engagement but are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings expectations. Inside the Costco Effect
• Negative Sentiment: Costco continues to trade at a demanding valuation, with a high price-to-earnings multiple. That leaves COST vulnerable if sales growth, membership trends or consumer spending weaken.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST stock opened at $982.00 on Thursday. 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 cap of $435.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.30, a P/E/G ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $931.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $963.13. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52 week low of $844.06 and a 52 week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. 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 announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio is presently 28.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of Costco Wholesale 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

COST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Argus reissued a "buy" rating and set a $1,230.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,091.00 to $1,079.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 28th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $1,125.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,015.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $1,160.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Twenty-three 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $1,081.79.

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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