Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Newly Purchased by Norris Perne & French LLP MI

Key Points

• Norris Perne & French LLP MI purchased 1,961 Costco shares worth approximately $1.785 million in the third quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations with adjusted EPS of $6.75 and revenue of $95.72 billion, up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, representing an annualized yield of 0.6%.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,086.19, although several firms recently lowered their targets. Costco shares trade at a high P/E ratio of 48.33, while two executives recently sold shares.

Norris Perne & French LLP MI bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,961 shares of the retailer's stock, valued at approximately $1,785,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 13,372 shares of the retailer's stock worth $12,173,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Valen Private Capital LLC acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at $540,000. Simplicity Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 26,224 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $23,873,000 after acquiring an additional 1,775 shares in the last quarter. Madrona Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Madrona Financial Services LLC now owns 6,367 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,797,000 after acquiring an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brookmont Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Brookmont Capital Management now owns 298 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST opened at $1,003.32 on Monday. The company's 50 day moving average is $937.96 and its 200-day moving average is $962.82. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company 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 (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (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 previous year, the firm posted $5.87 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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 (DPR) is currently 28.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business's 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on COST shares. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,011.00 to $955.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a 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 on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. HSBC raised Costco Wholesale to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

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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