Orleans Capital Management Corp LA Trims Stock Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Orleans Capital Management Corp LA cut its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 64.2% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,524 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 2,730 shares during the period. Orleans Capital Management Corp LA’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,519,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter worth $33,000. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on COST. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,160.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 19th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Costco Wholesale from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,104.00 to $1,106.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $977.00 to $1,011.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 29th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $1,020.00 price target on the stock. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,059.07.

Trending Headlines about Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco is expanding its warehouse footprint with several planned new locations across multiple states, including a first store in some markets, which could support membership growth, sales, and regional market share. Costco plans several new stores in multiple states: Here’s where
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to view Costco favorably, with consensus ratings still at “Moderate Buy,” reinforcing confidence in the company’s defensive business model and long-term earnings power. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Costco’s early Executive Membership success in China and continued warehouse expansion there could improve fee income and customer loyalty, creating a new growth catalyst outside the U.S. Why China Could Become Costco’s Next Membership Catalyst
• Positive Sentiment: New product launches and retailer exclusives from brands like Laifen and Jackery show Costco remains an attractive distribution channel, supporting traffic and merchandising momentum. Is Costco Wholesale (COST) Undervalued As New Product Launches Test Its Premium Valuation?
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary focused on Costco’s high dividend growth and durable earnings model adds to the bullish long-term case, but it does not appear to be a new catalyst on its own. Will Costco (COST) be Able to Continue High Dividend Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports about a new standalone gas station and local tax revenue from store openings highlight business expansion, but they are more incremental than transformative for the stock. Costco Officially Launched Standalone Gas Stations. Don’t Count on This Fueling Another Leg Higher in COST Stock. Costco could bring millions in new tax revenue to Clarksville, leaders say
• Negative Sentiment: Investor concern remains around Costco’s premium valuation, with recent commentary questioning whether the stock is still undervalued after its strong run. Is Costco Wholesale (COST) Undervalued As New Product Launches Test Its Premium Valuation?
• Negative Sentiment: Legal headlines noting multiple lawsuits this year may add some overhang, even if the direct financial impact is still unclear. Costco had 3 lawsuits filed against it this year: See why

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

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 transaction of $847,343.25. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,779 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,575,653.55. This represents a 15.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 0.1%

Costco Wholesale stock opened at $926.06 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $410.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.58, a PEG ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $968.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $980.24. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,096.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 3.01% and a return on equity of 28.04%. The business had revenue of $70.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $70.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 24th will be given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 24th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 29.58%.

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.