Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Sold by Curated Wealth Partners LLC

Key Points

• Curated Wealth Partners dramatically reduced its Costco position by 99.7% in the third quarter, selling 425,631 shares and retaining 1,489 shares worth about $1.36 million. Other institutional investors increased their holdings, and institutions collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Wall Street remains broadly positive on Costco, with 24 Buy, eight Hold and one Sell rating, producing a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,087.40.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations with $6.75 in earnings per share and $95.72 billion in revenue, while year-over-year revenue rose 11.1%. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, though its premium valuation and recent insider selling remain potential risks.

Curated Wealth Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 99.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,489 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 425,631 shares during the period. Curated Wealth Partners LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,355,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COST. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 45.5% during the 3rd quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors now owns 4,378 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $3,985,000 after buying an additional 1,369 shares in the last quarter. Nvwm LLC grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 5,079 shares of the retailer's stock worth $4,624,000 after buying an additional 203 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 125.2% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 14,285 shares of the retailer's stock worth $13,004,000 after buying an additional 7,941 shares during the period. Martin Capital Advisors LLP grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Martin Capital Advisors LLP now owns 7,682 shares of the retailer's stock worth $6,993,000 after buying an additional 3,074 shares during the period. Finally, Triangle Securities Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 126.3% in the 3rd quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management now owns 4,674 shares of the retailer's stock worth $4,255,000 after acquiring an additional 2,609 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on COST shares. Guggenheim reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, September 28th. TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Evercore restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. 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 note on Friday, October 9th. Finally, Freedom Broker decreased their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,030.00 to $1,010.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-four 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,087.40.

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 0.4%

NASDAQ COST opened at $978.01 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,096.50. The stock has a market cap of $433.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.11, a P/E/G ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.88. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $932.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $963.09. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The company's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.87 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio is 28.32%.

Trending Headlines about Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Major price-target increase: Tigress Financial raised its COST price target from $1,065 to $1,250 and assigned a “buy” rating, implying substantial potential upside. Costco analyst price target report
• Positive Sentiment: Strong operating momentum: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results support the strength of its membership model and e-commerce business. Costco September sales report
• Positive Sentiment: Defensive positioning: Higher-than-expected inflation has encouraged investors to favor retailers selling essential goods. Costco benefited from this rotation alongside Walmart and Target. Retail defensive-sector rotation
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and expansion: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13. Proposed new warehouses in Oakland and Merced County also point to continued long-term store expansion. Costco dividend announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to expect earnings growth, with one estimate for fiscal 2027 EPS raised to $22.80. However, commentary describing COST as a portfolio-risk amplifier suggests investors remain focused on its correlation with the broader market and premium valuation. Costco market risk analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and insider selling: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable to disappointment in membership, sales or consumer spending trends. Separately, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million, reducing his position by 26.23%. Costco insider sale report

Insider Activity

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

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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