Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC

Key Points

• SeaCrest Wealth Management cut its Costco stake by 17.8% in the third quarter, selling 1,379 shares and retaining 6,365 shares valued at approximately $5.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with earnings of $6.75 per share and revenue of $95.72 billion, up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, equivalent to a 0.6% annual yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and average price target of $1,086.19, though Costco’s elevated valuation and intensifying grocery competition remain key risks.

SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 17.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,365 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,379 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for about 0.6% of SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest position. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $5,795,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 107.7% in the 3rd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 27 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter worth $28,000. Burk Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter worth $30,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Bullseye Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 1.5%

NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,003.32 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $444.60 billion, a PE ratio of 48.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.35 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,096.50. The business's 50-day moving average is $937.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $963.21.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.87 EPS. Research analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 currently 28.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on COST shares. Raymond James Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $1,125.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Mizuho dropped their target price 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. Finally, HSBC raised Costco Wholesale to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

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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