Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Acquired by Martin Capital Partners LLC

Key Points

• Martin Capital Partners increased its Costco position by 1,217.6% in the third quarter, owning 5,178 shares valued at approximately $4.7 million. Institutional investors collectively hold 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Costco reported strong operating momentum, with September sales rising 13.0% year over year to $30.02 billion and comparable sales increasing 11.4%. Its latest quarterly EPS and revenue also exceeded analyst expectations.
• The stock trades at a premium valuation, with a P/E ratio of 45.39, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $1,046.27. Risks include margin pressure, tariffs, valuation sensitivity and a recent executive share sale.

Martin Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 1,217.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,178 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 4,785 shares during the quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $4,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,781,946,000. Diamant Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 99,278.0% in the first quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,726,899 shares of the retailer's stock worth $672,690,000 after purchasing an additional 6,720,130 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 31.7% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer's stock worth $22,359,224,000 after purchasing an additional 5,749,362 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 838.9% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,125,405 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,282,182,000 after purchasing an additional 5,472,968 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,362,188,000. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total value of $2,015,046.00. Following the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: September sales exceeded expectations: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13.0% year over year. Total comparable sales increased 11.4%, led by 12.5% growth in the U.S., 10.8% internationally and 6.3% in Canada. The results reinforce continued customer traffic and spending momentum. Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports September Sales Results
• Positive Sentiment: Membership economics remain a key strength: Commentary highlighted 84.1 million paid members and a 92.3% U.S. and Canada renewal rate, supporting recurring fee revenue and Costco’s competitive moat. Is Costco’s Moat Really Worth the Premium?
• Positive Sentiment: Digital growth and customer engagement provide additional upside: Costco’s fiscal 2026 digital sales reportedly exceeded $33 billion, with faster delivery, personalization and AI-powered search supporting e-commerce expansion. Analysts also continue to classify COST as a high-quality growth stock. Costco’s Digital Sales Top $33 Billion
• Neutral Sentiment: Potential capital returns are speculative: Costco’s growing cash balance has prompted discussion of another special dividend, but no such payout has been announced. The possibility could support sentiment, while the lack of confirmation limits its immediate investment value. Costco’s Cash Pile Keeps Building
• Negative Sentiment: Legal and product-labeling risk emerged: A shopper sued over the “sugar-free” claim on a popular Kirkland drink mix. The financial impact is unclear, but litigation could create reputational and compliance concerns. Costco Shopper Sues Over Sugar-Free Claim
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and margin risks remain: COST’s premium earnings multiple leaves less room for disappointment. Analysts cited tariffs, higher costs and potential margin pressure as risks that could offset strong store traffic and sales growth. Costco Stock Could Surprise Investors Over the Next Several Years

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Costco Wholesale stock opened at $942.25 on Thursday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $930.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $963.67. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $417.87 billion, a PE ratio of 45.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) 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 business had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.87 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COST has been the subject of several analyst reports. 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. Raymond James Financial lowered their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson increased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,144.00 to $1,143.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,046.27.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh foods, beverages, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal products. It also offers services such as gasoline, pharmacies, optical departments, hearing-aid centers, food courts, travel services, and business delivery in selected markets.

Costco markets many products under its private-label Kirkland Signature brand and sells merchandise through warehouse locations and e-commerce platforms.

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