Evexia Wealth LLC Trims Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• Evexia Wealth LLC cut its Costco stake by 17.3% in the first quarter, selling 1,940 shares and leaving it with 9,292 shares worth about $9.1 million.
• Costco reported quarterly EPS of $4.93, just below analyst estimates, while revenue came in at $70.53 billion and topped expectations. Analysts still expect the company to earn 20.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.47 per share from $1.30, bringing the annualized payout to $5.88 and the dividend yield to about 0.6%.

Evexia Wealth LLC lowered its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 17.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,292 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,940 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale accounts for 2.6% of Evexia Wealth LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Evexia Wealth LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $9,114,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ballast Rock Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 1st quarter valued at about $231,000. Strong Tower Advisory Services boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.5% in the first quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services now owns 3,959 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,945,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.7% in the first quarter. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC now owns 3,532 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,519,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 4.9% during the first quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management now owns 4,441 shares of the retailer's stock worth $4,425,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares during the period. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 14.3% during the first quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,491 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,479,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

NASDAQ:COST opened at $951.35 on Tuesday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a one year low of $844.06 and a one year high of $1,096.50. The stock has a market cap of $421.90 billion, a PE ratio of 47.85, a P/E/G ratio of 4.61 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.07. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $998.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $969.62.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 28th. The retailer reported $4.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.94 by ($0.01). Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 28.04% and a net margin of 3.01%.The company had revenue of $70.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $70.12 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.28 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, May 1st were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 1st. This is an increase from Costco Wholesale's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on COST shares. Mizuho set a $1,100.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,104.00 to $1,106.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $1,125.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, May 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,192.00 to $1,194.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $1,020.00 target price on the stock. Twenty-two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $1,061.45.

Trending Headlines about Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary said Costco’s membership model looks even stronger, citing higher renewal rates, executive upgrades, and solid fee income growth that point to durable customer loyalty and steady recurring revenue. Is Costco Wholesale's Membership Model Getting Even Stronger?
• Positive Sentiment: Higher fuel prices may be sending more shoppers to Costco gas stations, which can increase in-store traffic and support a spillover lift in merchandise sales. 1 Big Catalyst for Costco Stock Right Now
• Positive Sentiment: One article argued that Costco’s low-price model can remain resilient even if the Fed keeps rates elevated, because value-oriented shopping tends to hold up well in inflationary periods. 1 Reason Why the Fed's Decision to Keep Interest Rates Steady Is No Match for Costco Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco is also getting attention as a potential beneficiary of heavy summer spending and online competition, but the articles focus more on Amazon’s Prime Day and broader retail activity than on a direct new catalyst for Costco. Amazon’s Prime Day sale could spur $26.3B in US e-commerce
• Neutral Sentiment: There was also chatter about Costco’s CFO and the timing of a possible special dividend, but the discussion did not confirm any new payout decision, so it is more of a speculation-driven headline than a clear catalyst. Costco's CFO just answered the special-dividend question
• Negative Sentiment: One report noted that some Costco members are raising inventory complaints, which could hint at occasional merchandising or availability issues that may frustrate shoppers. Costco members voice surprising inventory complaint
• Negative Sentiment: A Fortune report said quartz countertop fabrication has caused serious lung disease among workers, including in jobs tied to Costco kitchens, which could add reputational or legal pressure. Your quartz countertop is the new asbestos — for the workers who cut it

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a global chain of membership-only warehouse clubs that sell a wide array of merchandise in bulk at discounted prices. The company's product mix includes groceries, fresh and frozen food, household goods, electronics, apparel, and seasonal items, augmented by its prominent private-label brand, Kirkland Signature. Costco's business model centers on annual membership fees and high-volume, low-margin sales, designed to drive repeat purchasing and strong customer loyalty among both consumers and small-business buyers.

Beyond merchandise, Costco provides a range of ancillary services that complement its warehouses, including gasoline stations, pharmacy and optical services, hearing aid centers, photo services, and travel and insurance products.

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