Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Sold by Hosking Partners LLP

Hosking Partners LLP lessened its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 53,160 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 5,568 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale comprises about 1.7% of Hosking Partners LLP’s holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Hosking Partners LLP’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $48,394,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 31.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $22,359,224,000 after buying an additional 5,749,362 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 11.5% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $7,488,203,000 after acquiring an additional 773,651 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 5.5% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,068,312 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,870,314,000 after acquiring an additional 160,893 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 11.1% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,839,016 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,828,881,000 after acquiring an additional 283,360 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ascentis Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 103,637.0% in the second quarter. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,500,062 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,549,616,000 after acquiring an additional 2,497,652 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on COST shares. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $1,125.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,160.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Freedom Broker reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,030.00 to $1,010.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and set a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Twenty-five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,086.19.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism: Tigress Financial raised its price target to $1,250, while CICC initiated coverage with an “outperform” rating. These actions reinforce the bullish view that Costco’s membership income, sales growth and customer loyalty can support further gains. Tigress Financial raises target for Costco Wholesale stock
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term performance and growth potential: A retrospective analysis said $1,000 invested in Costco 10 years ago would have grown to $8,018, substantially outperforming the S&P 500. Another report highlighted potential upside surprises, including continued membership growth and resilient consumer demand. Costco Turned $1,000 Into $8,018
• Positive Sentiment: Potential stock split: Costco’s CEO said a stock split is regularly discussed by the board. No split was announced, but speculation could improve accessibility for employees and smaller investors following the stock’s strong appreciation. Costco’s Last Stock Split Was in 2000
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation remains a concern: Costco trades at the highest earnings multiple among several major retailers, despite having a relatively low operating margin. Its premium valuation leaves less room for disappointment if growth or membership trends slow. Are You Overpaying For Costco Stock Versus Its Rivals?
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure is increasing: Kroger plans to spend $5 billion on lower prices and technology after acknowledging market-share losses to Walmart and Costco. More aggressive grocery pricing could pressure Costco’s traffic, margins or competitive advantage. Kroger Is Spending $5 Billion to Cut Prices

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 2.0%

Shares of COST stock opened at $1,018.21 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $451.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.05, a P/E/G ratio of 4.27 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 fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $937.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $962.93.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion during 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%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.87 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells merchandise in bulk and at competitive prices through warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms, serving individual consumers, businesses and other organizations.

Its product selection includes groceries and fresh foods, household supplies, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, health and beauty products, jewelry, automotive products and prescription drugs. Costco also provides services such as optical care, pharmacy services, hearing-aid sales, travel offerings and fuel sales, depending on location.

The company traces its roots to Price Club, which opened in San Diego in 1976.