Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Avestar Capital LLC

Key Points

• Avestar Capital reduced its Costco stake by 22.9% in the third quarter, selling 1,299 shares and retaining 4,369 shares valued at approximately $3.98 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of COST.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $6.75 in EPS and $95.72 billion in revenue, with year-over-year revenue growth of 11.1%. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, representing a 0.6% yield.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,086.19. However, Costco’s premium valuation—about 49 times earnings—leaves the stock vulnerable if growth or execution disappoints.

Avestar Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 22.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,369 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,299 shares during the period. Avestar Capital LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $3,977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,781,946,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 31.7% during the 2nd 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 during the period. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth approximately $2,362,188,000. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 103,637.0% during the second quarter. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,500,062 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,549,616,000 after buying an additional 2,497,652 shares during the period. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LP bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth about $726,689,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of COST stock opened at $1,012.28 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $448.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.76, a PEG ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 0.88. 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's 50-day simple moving average is $943.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $970.25.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.87 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be given 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 of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.32%.

More Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion supports long-term growth. Costco plans to open 13 locations by the end of 2026, potentially expanding its membership base and sales footprint. Costco opening 13 locations by end of 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Membership acquisition remains a focus. A promotional offer providing new members with a $45 gift card could help drive sign-ups ahead of the holiday shopping season, supporting recurring membership-fee revenue. Costco membership Black Friday deal
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect continued earnings momentum. Costco’s upcoming fiscal first-quarter 2027 report is expected to show double-digit year-over-year EPS growth. Its latest quarter also beat consensus estimates on both earnings and revenue. What to expect from Costco Wholesale’s next quarterly earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Customer loyalty and digital engagement remain strengths. Coverage highlights near-record renewal rates, busy warehouses, a younger shopper base and growing use of Costco’s digital channels. These factors reinforce the company’s competitive advantages and long-term sales potential. The New Costco Shopper Is Under 40
• Neutral Sentiment: Healthcare partnerships could deepen member engagement. Integrations with NationsBenefits and SCAN Health Plan are expanding Costco’s role in Medicare-related spending across more than 600 U.S. warehouses, though the financial contribution is not yet clear. Medicare push and Costco investors
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation leaves little room for disappointment. Costco trades at roughly 49 times earnings, making execution and upcoming results especially important. Analysts remain positive, but the stock’s premium valuation could amplify downside if growth slows. Costco stock’s long-term competitive advantages

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on COST. CICC Research initiated coverage on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, October 21st. They set an "outperform" rating and a $1,050.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Costco Wholesale from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Friday, October 23rd. Twenty-five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm'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 value 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 trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Profile

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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