Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Sigma Planning Corp

Key Points

• Sigma Planning Corp. reduced its Costco position by 6.8% in the third quarter, selling 1,062 shares and retaining 14,668 shares valued at $13.37 million. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $6.75 in earnings per share and $95.72 billion in revenue, up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a $1.47 quarterly dividend, representing a 0.6% annualized yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains moderately bullish, but valuation is elevated. Costco has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $1,086.19 price target, while shares trade at roughly 48 times earnings and some analysts have issued neutral or sell ratings.

Sigma Planning Corp trimmed its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 14,668 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,062 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corp's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $13,371,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of COST. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 551 shares of the retailer's stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson now owns 1,098 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,094,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,049 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,045,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Main Street Group LTD boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Main Street Group LTD now owns 1,226 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HORAN Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. HORAN Wealth LLC now owns 803 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $769,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,005.16 on Tuesday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52-week low of $844.06 and a 52-week high of $1,096.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $445.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.42, a PEG ratio of 4.29 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 $938.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $968.09.

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 for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $5.87 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale's payout ratio is 28.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company's stock, valued at $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 approximately $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AI-driven shopping could support e-commerce growth. Costco is seeing triple-digit increases in traffic and sales originating from AI-powered search, with strong conversion rates. Although the channel remains small, broader adoption could provide a new source of online customer acquisition. Costco’s AI Search Traffic Soars: Can It Fuel Online Sales?
• Positive Sentiment: Health-services expansion may improve member retention. New pharmacy and health offerings, including expanded GLP-1 and fertility-related options and mobile payment capabilities, could make memberships more valuable and encourage renewals. Costco expands a key health offering
• Positive Sentiment: Warehouse growth remains a long-term sales catalyst. Costco is preparing to open a 152,000-square-foot location after delays and reportedly plans 33 new warehouses in 2027, supporting future membership and revenue growth. Costco is finally opening a massive warehouse Costco is opening 33 new warehouses in 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data provides no meaningful bearish signal. The report lists zero shares sold short and a zero-day short-interest ratio, suggesting limited measurable short-selling pressure, although the data appears inconsistent with the description of a “significant increase.”
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation remains the primary risk. An investor analysis argues that COST is overvalued despite its durable business model and strong long-term performance. At its elevated earnings multiple, the stock may require continued strong growth to justify further gains. Costco valuation and 10-year outlook

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on COST shares. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,011.00 to $955.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $1,160.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Roth Capital reiterated a "sell" rating and issued a $781.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, September 28th. Twenty-five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

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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