Townsquare Capital LLC Has $3.20 Million Holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Townsquare Capital LLC reduced its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 20.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,453 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 897 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $3,196,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Soundwatch Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 635.7% during the second quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,553 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 975.0% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 72.0% in the second quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2,200.0% during the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 46 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on COST. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, December 12th. Gordon Haskett reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,150.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and set a $1,100.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Daiwa Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $947.00 to $917.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,025.00 to $1,027.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Twenty-one analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $996.00.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer reaffirmed his support for Costco, telling callers he still likes the stock and advising long‑term holders to stay put — a high‑visibility endorsement that can buoy retail investor demand. Jim Cramer Says “I Want You to Stay With Costco, I Still Like It”
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/market commentary remains constructive: brokerages give an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and multiple bullish write‑ups highlight Costco’s membership model, steady comps and momentum characteristics. That supports demand at current premium multiples. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Minor institutional activity: Alpha Cubed Investments trimmed its position by ~1.7% in an earlier quarter (sold 560 shares). This is a small, non‑disruptive move and not a clear signal of broad selling pressure. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC Trims Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST
• Neutral Sentiment: Product/service coverage and consumer buzz continue: a 2026 review of Costco’s pet insurance scores it 3.7/5 and viral food items (e.g., mini beignets) returned in new flavors — positive for engagement but unlikely to move fundamentals materially. Costco pet insurance review 2026: 3.7 out of 5 stars
• Neutral Sentiment: Relative valuation debate continues: pieces comparing Costco to discount peers (e.g., Dollar General) and Zacks momentum/earnings commentary underscore that COST is a premium, lower‑growth‑downside play vs. some turnaround names — useful context for investors but mixed in directional impact. Costco vs. Dollar General: Which Discount Retailer Is the Better Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Legal risk: a proposed class‑action lawsuit alleges Costco misled shoppers by marketing its $4.99 rotisserie chicken as preservative‑free while using ingredients like sodium phosphate and carrageenan. This is the most material near‑term negative — reputational damage, potential settlements or wider litigation could pressure the stock if the case gains traction. Costco Is Sued Over Preservatives in Its $5 Rotisserie Chickens

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 0.8%

NASDAQ:COST opened at $952.89 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a one year low of $844.06 and a one year high of $1,078.23. The company has a market cap of $422.96 billion, a PE ratio of 51.04, a PEG ratio of 5.74 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $905.68 and a 200-day moving average of $929.87.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The retailer reported $4.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.27 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $67.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $67.03 billion. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 29.35% and a net margin of 2.96%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.04 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is presently 27.85%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Javier Polit sold 2,049 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $867.21, for a total value of $1,776,913.29. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 10,748 shares in the company, valued at $9,320,773.08. This represents a 16.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP James C. Klauer sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.00, for a total transaction of $1,408,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 44,837 shares in the company, valued at $42,101,943. The trade was a 3.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,315 shares of company stock worth $8,549,409. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Profile

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.