Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock: Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich Increases Stake

Key Points

• Institutional investors increased exposure to Costco. Bank Julius Baer raised its stake by 1.1% to 492,084 shares valued at approximately $449 million, while institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 68.48% of the stock.
• Costco delivered better-than-expected quarterly results. Earnings reached $6.75 per share versus the $6.54 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 11.1% year over year to $95.72 billion.
• The stock carries a premium valuation despite positive analyst sentiment. Costco trades at about 49 times earnings, and analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $1,086.19; the company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share.

Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 492,084 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 5,593 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises approximately 1.1% of Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich's holdings, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich owned about 0.11% of Costco Wholesale worth $448,973,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Sarasin & Partners LLP lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 6.9% during the second quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 214,194 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $200,372,000 after purchasing an additional 13,795 shares during the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter valued at approximately $16,013,000. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the second quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan now owns 158,416 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $148,193,000 after buying an additional 6,200 shares during the period. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 9.0% in the 2nd quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 68,762 shares of the retailer's stock worth $64,325,000 after purchasing an additional 5,656 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,766 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $21,297,000 after buying an additional 2,974 shares during the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $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 available at this link. 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 owned 3,094 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST stock opened at $1,012.28 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $448.57 billion, a PE ratio of 48.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.84. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. 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 firm has a fifty day moving average price of $943.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $970.25.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 company had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.87 EPS. Costco Wholesale's quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on COST shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,015.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,144.00 to $1,143.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on shares of 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. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, September 28th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,200.00 to $1,095.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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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