Ninety One UK Ltd Sells 99,280 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• Ninety One UK reduced its Costco stake by 32.4%, selling 99,280 shares in the third quarter and retaining 206,695 shares valued at approximately $187.8 million.
• Institutional ownership remains substantial at 68.48%, with several other investment firms increasing their Costco positions during the second quarter.
• Costco reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, including $6.75 EPS and $95.72 billion in revenue, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus despite the stock’s high valuation and recent insider selling.

Ninety One UK Ltd decreased its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 32.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 206,695 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 99,280 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $187,798,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sarasin & Partners LLP increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 6.9% during the second quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 214,194 shares of the retailer's stock worth $200,372,000 after buying an additional 13,795 shares during the period. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan raised its stake in Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the second quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan now owns 158,416 shares of the retailer's stock worth $148,193,000 after buying an additional 6,200 shares during the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at $16,013,000. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 9.0% in the second quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 68,762 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $64,325,000 after buying an additional 5,656 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 15.0% in the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,766 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $21,297,000 after buying an additional 2,974 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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 Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

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

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

NASDAQ:COST opened at $978.01 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $932.33 and a 200-day moving average of $963.09. The firm has a market capitalization 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 company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a twelve month low of $844.06 and a twelve month high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST - Get Free Report) last released its 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. Costco Wholesale's quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.87 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be paid a $1.47 dividend. 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 payout ratio is 28.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America decreased their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,200.00 to $1,095.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Argus reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $1,230.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, DA Davidson upped their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,087.40.

Costco Wholesale 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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