Simplicity Wealth LLC Buys 1,775 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Simplicity Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 26,224 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,775 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises about 0.7% of Simplicity Wealth LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Simplicity Wealth LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $23,873,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 107.7% in the third quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 27 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Burk Holdings LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Bullseye Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was 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. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,003.32 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $444.60 billion, a PE ratio of 48.33, a P/E/G ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $937.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $962.82. 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 (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.87 earnings per share. Costco Wholesale’s revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 28.32%.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong. CICC initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, while Tigress Financial raised its price target to $1,250. Erste Group also increased its FY2028 EPS estimate to $25.07 from $25.01, above the current-year consensus estimate of $22.70. CICC coverage article Tigress Financial price target article
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and customer engagement remain key positives. Costco’s membership model has delivered substantial long-term shareholder returns, and the company is reportedly using purchasing data to better target high-spending members. REJURAN Cosmetics is also expanding through Costco’s first Beauty Table program, potentially adding traffic and broadening its premium beauty offering. Costco customer spending article REJURAN retail expansion article
• Neutral Sentiment: Long-term growth screens are favorable, and analysts’ average recommendation is equivalent to a Buy. However, these reports largely reiterate existing optimism rather than provide a new earnings catalyst. Zacks growth stock article
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and competition remain concerns. Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock sensitive to profit-taking or disappointing growth. Kroger is planning major investments and price cuts to win back market share from Costco and Walmart, which could intensify grocery competition and pressure margins. Kroger competition article

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Mizuho dropped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,065.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,144.00 to $1,143.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 25th. DA Davidson raised 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. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale 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.