Reliant Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 26,410 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $24,042,000. Costco Wholesale accounts for 8.2% of Reliant Investment Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in COST. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in Costco Wholesale by 7.9% during the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,500 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Strategy Asset Managers LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 6.5% in the third quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 3,474 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,162,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Sloy Dahl & Holst LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 5.2% in the third quarter. Sloy Dahl & Holst LLC now owns 1,591 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,448,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 4.1% in the third quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 27,833 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $25,333,000 after buying an additional 1,091 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Group Inc. lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 42.2% in the third quarter. Harbor Group Inc. now owns 539 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $491,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Costco Wholesale Stock Up 2.9%
COST stock opened at $982.00 on Thursday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $931.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $963.13. The company has a market cap of $435.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.06. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50.
Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.32%.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of equities analysts have issued reports on COST shares. HSBC upgraded Costco Wholesale to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson boosted their target price on shares of 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. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Roth Capital restated a “sell” rating and issued a $781.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,081.79.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on Costco Wholesale
Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale
Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Defensive-sector rotation: Higher inflation prompted investors to move toward companies selling everyday necessities. Costco benefited alongside Walmart and Target as a perceived defensive retailer. Walmart Advances as Inflation Data Sends Money Into Defensives
- Positive Sentiment: Strong September sales momentum: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales rose 19%. The figures reinforce the strength of its membership, value-focused pricing and e-commerce operations. Costco September Sales Jump and Faster Digital Growth
- Positive Sentiment: Dividend declared: Costco’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. The payout provides a modest shareholder return and signals continued confidence in cash generation. Costco Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Positive Sentiment: Expansion and balance-sheet support: Analysts highlighted Costco’s approximately $21.3 billion liquidity cushion, manageable debt and robust cash flows as advantages for funding new warehouses and digital investments. A Florida city council also gave an early approval for a new store. How Costco’s Balance Sheet Gives It an Edge
- Positive Sentiment: Positive earnings expectations: Erste Group raised its FY2027 EPS forecast to $22.80 from $22.67 and expects $25.01 for FY2028, modestly above the company’s current-year consensus outlook. Costco analyst estimates
- Neutral Sentiment: Articles highlighting Costco’s influence on home-buying decisions, younger membership growth and exclusive seasonal products reinforce brand engagement but are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings expectations. Inside the Costco Effect
- Negative Sentiment: Costco continues to trade at a demanding valuation, with a high price-to-earnings multiple. That leaves COST vulnerable if sales growth, membership trends or consumer spending weaken.
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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