Platform Wealth Management LLC Makes New $17.97 Million Investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• Platform Wealth Management LLC initiated a new position in Costco during the fourth quarter, buying 20,842 shares valued at about $17.97 million. The stake now represents 4.8% of the firm’s holdings and is its sixth-largest position.
• Costco’s latest quarterly results were mixed: revenue topped expectations at $70.53 billion, but EPS missed by one cent at $4.93 versus $4.94 expected. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.47 per share, up from $1.30.
• Wall Street remains broadly positive on Costco, with 22 Buy ratings and a consensus target price of $1,060.41. Recent coverage also highlighted strong May sales growth, with net sales up 14.5% year over year.

Platform Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 20,842 shares of the retailer's stock, valued at approximately $17,973,000. Costco Wholesale accounts for 4.8% of Platform Wealth Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Hurley Capital LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 120.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hurley Capital LLC now owns 33 shares of the retailer's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Entrust Financial LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Collier Financial bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $961.83 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $426.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.62 and a beta of 0.88. The business's fifty day moving average price is $1,006.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $963.58. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 28th. The retailer reported $4.93 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.94 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $70.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $70.12 billion. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 28.72% and a net margin of 3.01%.During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.28 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 1st were paid a $1.47 dividend. This is an increase from Costco Wholesale's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 1st. Costco Wholesale's payout ratio is presently 29.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on COST shares. Evercore set a $1,100.00 price target on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $769.00 to $781.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Mizuho set a $1,100.00 price objective on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on 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. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $1,060.41.

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco reported robust May sales growth, with net sales up 14.5% year over year and strong comparable sales across key geographies, signaling healthy demand and execution. Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports May Sales Results
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remained constructive, with TD Cowen reaffirming a Buy rating and lifting its price target to $1,175, suggesting more upside if Costco keeps delivering on sales and memberships. Benzinga coverage of TD Cowen rating
• Positive Sentiment: Articles highlighted Costco’s accelerating growth drivers, including stronger digital demand, membership income, and traffic, which support the long-term bullish case for the stock. 3 Compelling Costco Growth Drivers You Might Not Know About
• Positive Sentiment: Higher gasoline prices may be driving more traffic to Costco fuel stations, helping boost store visits and supporting the warehouse club’s value proposition. Costco gets surprising lift from an everyday expense

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 730 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,003.02, for a total value of $732,204.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 6,121 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,139,485.42. The trade was a 10.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

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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