Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Sold by Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI

Key Points

• Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI reduced its Costco stake by 10.5% in the third quarter, selling 1,700 shares and retaining 14,462 shares worth approximately $13.2 million. Institutional investors overall own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $6.75 in earnings per share and $95.72 billion in revenue, with revenue up 11.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, equal to a 0.6% annualized yield.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, but valuation is elevated: Costco has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $1,086.19, while the stock trades at roughly 48 times earnings near its recent highs.

Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI cut its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 10.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,462 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,700 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for 1.1% of Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI's portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $13,165,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. State Street Corp lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 31.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $22,359,224,000 after purchasing an additional 5,749,362 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $7,488,203,000 after buying an additional 773,651 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,068,312 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,870,314,000 after buying an additional 160,893 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in Costco Wholesale by 11.1% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 2,839,016 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,828,881,000 after acquiring an additional 283,360 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,362,188,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST opened at $992.13 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $439.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.79 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a fifty day moving average of $940.52 and a 200 day moving average of $969.21. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. The business's revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current 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 $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis 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%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on COST shares. Oppenheimer reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $1,160.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,011.00 to $955.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $1,086.19.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business'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 value of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the company'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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Digital and pharmacy growth offer upside. Costco’s AI-driven search traffic and related online sales are reportedly growing at triple-digit rates, while pharmacy sales have increased nearly 20%. Expanded services, including GLP-1 and fertility offerings, could strengthen member engagement and renewal rates. Costco's AI Search Traffic Soars
• Positive Sentiment: New partnerships may improve member value. NationsBenefits is making healthcare benefits redeemable at more than 600 participating Costco warehouses, potentially increasing traffic and spending among eligible members. NationsBenefits Expands Member Access
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum is improving. Market technician Katie Stockton said Costco’s momentum is strengthening heading into November, reinforcing the bullish view following recent gains and the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat. Costco momentum is improving
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and special-dividend potential provide shareholder support. Costco’s upcoming $1.47 dividend and speculation about a possible special dividend may attract income-oriented investors, although the regular yield remains modest at the current share price. Costco Special Dividend Prospects
• Neutral Sentiment: ETF activity was a modest technical headwind. ETFs were reported as net sellers of COST on October 23, which could add short-term supply but does not materially change Costco’s operating outlook. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is the central concern. With COST trading at roughly 48 times earnings and near record levels, analysts warn that expectations are extremely high. Mixed consumer and macroeconomic conditions mean even a modest slowdown or weaker guidance could pressure the stock. Costco Remains a Defensive Compounder
• Negative Sentiment: A proposed warehouse cancellation removes a potential expansion catalyst. Costco withdrew its application for a warehouse near Highway 55 in Eagle, although the impact is likely limited unless the decision signals broader permitting or expansion challenges. Costco pulls application for warehouse near Highway 55

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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