Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.

Key Points

• Nippon Life Global Investors Americas reduced its Costco stake by 6.6% in the third quarter, selling 3,590 shares and retaining 50,540 shares valued at approximately $46 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $6.75 and revenue of $95.72 billion, representing 11.1% year-over-year growth. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and average price target of $1,086.19, but Costco’s elevated valuation—around 49 times earnings—leaves the stock vulnerable if growth or execution disappoints.

Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. reduced its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 6.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 50,540 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 3,590 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale comprises approximately 1.8% of Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.'s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $46,009,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 107.7% during the third quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 27 shares of the retailer's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Burk Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, John Boyer Inc. acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of Costco Wholesale 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Costco Wholesale

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 Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. 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 research report on Friday, September 25th. Mizuho reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,065.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson raised their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, September 25th. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Tigress Financial raised their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

NASDAQ COST opened at $1,012.28 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.06. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The stock has a market cap of $448.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.84. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $943.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $970.25.

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, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

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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