IFM Investors Pty Ltd Increases Stock Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation by 1.4%, holding approximately $76.52 million worth of stock which constitutes 0.8% of its total holdings.
• Costco announced a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, with an annualized dividend yield of 0.5% and a payout ratio of 29.50%.
• Analysts have mixed views on Costco, with several raising their target prices, while overall, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" among analysts.

IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 80,909 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 1,122 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale makes up approximately 0.8% of IFM Investors Pty Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 18th largest position. IFM Investors Pty Ltd's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $76,522,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COST. Investment Management Corp VA ADV purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Aspect Partners LLC raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 24.4% in the 1st quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 56 shares of the retailer's stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $59,000. Finally, Bank & Trust Co raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank & Trust Co now owns 65 shares of the retailer's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of COST stock traded up $3.58 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $967.90. 1,460,154 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,950,274. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $867.16 and a 12 month high of $1,078.23. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $960.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $975.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $429.24 billion, a PE ratio of 55.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.43 and a beta of 0.97.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 1st were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 1st. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Costco Wholesale's payout ratio is 29.50%.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP Teresa A. Jones sold 600 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $992.05, for a total transaction of $595,230.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,362 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,343,222.10. The trade was a 20.26% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Yoram Rubanenko sold 4,000 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on Monday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $974.96, for a total transaction of $3,899,840.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 5,774 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,629,419.04. This trade represents a 40.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 5,147 shares of company stock worth $5,031,130. 0.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $1,100.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Loop Capital decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,115.00 to $1,110.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,150.00 to $1,225.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,115.00 to $1,160.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Costco Wholesale from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,056.67.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories.