Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock: Apollon Wealth Management LLC Trims Holdings

Key Points

• Apollon Wealth Management trimmed its Costco stake by 2.3% in the third quarter, selling 1,371 shares and retaining 57,403 shares worth approximately $52.3 million. Institutional investors own 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Costco reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $6.75 and revenue of $95.72 billion, up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, representing a 0.6% yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $1,086.19, though Costco’s elevated valuation remains a key risk. Shares opened at $1,005.16, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.06.

Apollon Wealth Management LLC reduced its position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 57,403 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,371 shares during the quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $52,256,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Level Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the third quarter valued at $215,000. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 56.0% during the third quarter. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC now owns 156 shares of the retailer's stock worth $155,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Tower View Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.2% in the third quarter. Tower View Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,724 shares of the retailer's stock worth $6,121,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.2% in the third quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners now owns 1,854 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leeward Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.4% in the third quarter. Leeward Financial Partners LLC now owns 9,130 shares of the retailer's stock worth $8,312,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST stock opened at $1,005.16 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $938.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $968.09. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50. 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 cap of $445.42 billion, a PE ratio of 49.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The firm's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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 Ratings Changes

COST has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $1,000.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Tigress Financial upped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. Roth Capital reissued a "sell" rating and issued a $781.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Oppenheimer reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $1,160.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,200.00 to $1,095.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Twenty-five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,086.19.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, 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 transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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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