PensionDanmark Pensionsforsikringsaktieselskab raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report) by 7.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 88,952 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,793 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale comprises 0.7% of PensionDanmark Pensionsforsikringsaktieselskab’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. PensionDanmark Pensionsforsikringsaktieselskab’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $83,212,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Palisade Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Palisade Asset Management LLC now owns 702 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $605,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. now owns 3,194 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,754,000 after buying an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Effects LLC grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 874 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $871,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 551 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $549,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First National Bank of Hutchinson lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson now owns 1,098 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,094,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities research analysts have weighed in on COST shares. Mizuho set a $1,100.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, June 1st. DA Davidson reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $1,000.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, June 4th. Bank of America upped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,185.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Telsey Advisory Group boosted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,125.00 to $1,135.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $1,020.00 target price on the stock. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,059.53.
Costco Wholesale Stock Performance
Shares of COST opened at $949.15 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $420.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.74, a P/E/G ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.87. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52 week low of $844.06 and a 52 week high of $1,096.50. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $950.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $982.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.07.
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 28th. The retailer reported $4.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by ($0.01). Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 28.04% and a net margin of 3.01%.The firm had revenue of $70.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $70.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 7th. Investors of record on Friday, July 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 24th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 29.58%.
More Costco Wholesale News
Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Strong July sales support the investment case. Costco reported July net sales of $23.12 billion, up 10.7% year over year, while sales for the first 48 weeks of the fiscal year rose 10.1% to $273.55 billion. The results indicate continued customer traffic and spending momentum and are likely the main reason the stock has increased. Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports July Sales Results
- Positive Sentiment: Comparable-store sales also improved in July. MarketWatch reported that Costco’s same-store sales increased, suggesting that growth was not driven solely by new warehouse openings. Broad-based comparable sales are generally viewed favorably because they indicate stronger underlying demand and member engagement. Costco Same-Store Sales Rise in July
- Positive Sentiment: Costco’s brand strategy continues to attract attention. Lord & Taylor is reportedly pursuing a Costco-like model, including greater emphasis on private-label merchandise. The comparison highlights the strength of Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand and the competitive advantages of its membership and private-label ecosystem. Formerly bankrupt department store bets on Costco strategy
- Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain focused on valuation. A TipRanks review noted that COST has risen about 10% year to date while inflation remains a concern. Strong sales support earnings expectations, but the stock’s high earnings multiple leaves less room for disappointing results or slowing growth. Is Costco Stock Still a Good Buy After Its July Sales Report?
- Neutral Sentiment: Articles about student benefits, new groceries, and higher-income consumer spending provide lifestyle or industry context but do not materially change Costco’s earnings outlook. Costco Student Discount
- Negative Sentiment: A proposed tax-sharing agreement connected to a potential Costco and gas-station development has drawn opposition from local residents. The issue appears localized and is unlikely to affect Costco’s near-term financial results, but it could create permitting or reputational friction. Residents Oppose Tax-Sharing Agreement
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other Costco Wholesale news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 885 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director directly owned 4,779 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,575,653.55. This represents a 15.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
About Costco Wholesale
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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