GTS Securities LLC Sells 2,130 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• GTS Securities sharply reduced its Costco position: The firm sold 2,130 shares, cutting its holdings by 69.1% to 952 shares worth approximately $891,000. Institutional investors collectively own 68.48% of Costco.
• Costco continues to show strong sales momentum: Fourth-quarter net sales rose 11.3% year over year to $93.9 billion, while digitally enabled comparable sales increased 19.5%.
• Valuation remains a key concern: Costco traded near $910, with a P/E ratio of 45.78, despite a consensus analyst rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,056.03. The company also pays a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, yielding about 0.6%.

GTS Securities LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 69.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 952 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 2,130 shares during the quarter. GTS Securities LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $891,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the second quarter worth $255,000. Nichols & Pratt Advisers LLP MA boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nichols & Pratt Advisers LLP MA now owns 6,022 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,633,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 1,895 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,773,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Sheets Smith Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management now owns 4,502 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,212,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Spinnaker Trust raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Spinnaker Trust now owns 7,737 shares of the retailer's stock worth $7,238,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

COST opened at $910.18 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $403.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $942.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $976.18. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52-week low of $844.06 and a 52-week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 24th were paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 24th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio is presently 29.58%.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong fourth-quarter sales: Costco reported fourth-quarter net sales of $93.9 billion, up 11.3% year over year. Digitally enabled comparable sales increased 19.5%, suggesting e-commerce and omnichannel initiatives remain important growth drivers. Costco's Q4 Sales Rise 11.3% as Digital Momentum Remains Strong
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade: Freedom Broker raised Costco from “hold” to “buy” and established a $1,030 price target, implying meaningful potential upside from recent trading levels. However, the upgrade has not yet overcome broader selling pressure. Costco Stock Falls Despite Freedom Broker Upgrade to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Returns and liquidation operations: Reports that Costco resells some returned merchandise through liquidation and B-stock auctions provide additional context on its inventory practices. The activity appears operational rather than a major new earnings catalyst, although it may help recover value from returned goods. How Costco Resells Items Returned Under Its Satisfaction Guarantee Policy
• Negative Sentiment: Premium valuation and competitive concerns: Costco’s recent underperformance has renewed debate over whether its high valuation is justified. Jim Cramer argued that the retailer may have lost some of its edge, while other commentary points to competition from discount stores. With a price-to-earnings ratio above 45, investors may be particularly sensitive to any slowdown in growth or membership appeal. Cramer Warns Costco May Have Lost Its Edge
• Negative Sentiment: Supplier bankruptcy headline: The loss of a Costco distribution deal contributed to a beverage brand’s Chapter 11 filing. This is not a direct financial threat to Costco, but it highlights vendor and product-selection risks within its merchandise ecosystem. Loss of Costco Deal Helps Push Beverage Brand Into Chapter 11

Insider Activity

In other Costco Wholesale news, Director Kenneth Denman sold 885 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $957.45, for a total value of $847,343.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,779 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,575,653.55. This trade represents a 15.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,110.00 to $1,100.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Mizuho set a $1,100.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Monday, June 1st. Roth Capital increased their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $769.00 to $781.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $1,144.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating and issued a $1,175.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $1,056.03.

About Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership-based warehouse clubs that offer a broad selection of merchandise at generally competitive prices. Its product range includes groceries, fresh foods, apparel, appliances, electronics, furniture, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal goods, along with private-label products sold under the Kirkland Signature brand.

The company also provides a variety of ancillary services, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical centers, hearing-aid centers, food courts, tire centers, and travel services.

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