Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock: Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Boosts Holdings

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 95,122 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 1,243 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale accounts for 0.9% of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $86,593,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in COST. Sarasin & Partners LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 6.9% in the second quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 214,194 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $200,372,000 after purchasing an additional 13,795 shares in the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth $16,013,000. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.1% in 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 period. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 9.0% in the second quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 68,762 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $64,325,000 after buying an additional 5,656 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 15.0% during 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 in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on COST shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,015.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Roth Capital reiterated a “sell” rating and issued a $781.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five equities 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,086.19.

Key Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Digital and pharmacy growth offer upside. Costco’s AI-driven search traffic and related online sales are reportedly growing at triple-digit rates, while pharmacy sales have increased nearly 20%. Expanded services, including GLP-1 and fertility offerings, could strengthen member engagement and renewal rates. Costco’s AI Search Traffic Soars
• Positive Sentiment: New partnerships may improve member value. NationsBenefits is making healthcare benefits redeemable at more than 600 participating Costco warehouses, potentially increasing traffic and spending among eligible members. NationsBenefits Expands Member Access
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum is improving. Market technician Katie Stockton said Costco’s momentum is strengthening heading into November, reinforcing the bullish view following recent gains and the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat. Costco momentum is improving
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and special-dividend potential provide shareholder support. Costco’s upcoming $1.47 dividend and speculation about a possible special dividend may attract income-oriented investors, although the regular yield remains modest at the current share price. Costco Special Dividend Prospects
• Neutral Sentiment: ETF activity was a modest technical headwind. ETFs were reported as net sellers of COST on October 23, which could add short-term supply but does not materially change Costco’s operating outlook. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is the central concern. With COST trading at roughly 48 times earnings and near record levels, analysts warn that expectations are extremely high. Mixed consumer and macroeconomic conditions mean even a modest slowdown or weaker guidance could pressure the stock. Costco Remains a Defensive Compounder
• Negative Sentiment: A proposed warehouse cancellation removes a potential expansion catalyst. Costco withdrew its application for a warehouse near Highway 55 in Eagle, although the impact is likely limited unless the decision signals broader permitting or expansion challenges. Costco pulls application for warehouse near Highway 55

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $992.13 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $940.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $969.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $439.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.79 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12-month low of $844.06 and a 12-month high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.87 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business’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 of the company’s stock, 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 currently owned by company insiders.

About Costco Wholesale

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.