1,762 Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by Nisa Investment Advisors LLC

Nisa Investment Advisors LLC reduced its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 111,955 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 1,762 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale makes up approximately 0.3% of Nisa Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $101,917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Harfst & Associates Inc. increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Harfst & Associates Inc. now owns 3,984 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,627,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 9.9% during the 3rd quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 3,443 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $3,135,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Randall & Associates Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 12.7% during the 3rd quarter. Randall & Associates Wealth Management now owns 328 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Miller Financial Services LLC boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 9.3% in the third quarter. Miller Financial Services LLC now owns 881 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $802,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Jean Financial LLC boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 25.1% in the third quarter. Blue Jean Financial LLC now owns 1,652 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,504,000 after buying an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $998.31 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $935.99 and a 200-day moving average of $962.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.06. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a twelve month low of $844.06 and a twelve month high of $1,096.50. The firm has a market cap of $442.38 billion, a PE ratio of 48.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.25 and a beta of 0.88.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion for 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 quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.87 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

Key Stories Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Value proposition strengthened by inflation: With consumer prices rising 3.7% year over year and gasoline prices up sharply, Costco’s low-margin, high-volume model and reported 14% markup cap could attract shoppers seeking lower prices. Inflation and Costco’s value model
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: CICC initiated coverage of Costco with an “Outperform” rating, adding a new bullish view on the company’s long-term prospects. CICC Costco coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Expansion and membership durability: Costco operates 292 of its 939 warehouses outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico, leaving room for overseas membership growth. Articles also highlight the company’s strong customer retention, a feature that supports recurring membership revenue. Costco overseas membership growth
• Positive Sentiment: Digital execution: Costco, Walmart and Target are benefiting from faster delivery, AI-enabled shopping and marketplace partnerships, supporting continued e-commerce growth. Retail digital sales growth
• Neutral Sentiment: ETF purchases and coverage describing Costco’s desserts, pumpkin pie, tote bags and planned South Meridian warehouse opening reinforce brand engagement and store expansion, but are unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. ETF purchases of Costco
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s supplier controls and food-safety procedures may protect customer trust, though attention to food-safety risks highlights an ongoing operational issue for grocery retailers. Costco food-safety procedures
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation risk: Costco trades at the highest earnings multiple among six large retailers in one comparison, despite ranking only fifth in operating margin. That premium leaves less room for execution disappointments and may limit upside. Costco valuation versus rivals
• Negative Sentiment: Walmart’s aggressive holiday-sales ambitions and early Black Friday promotions reinforce competitive pressure, particularly around price and convenience. Walmart holiday competition

Insider Activity

In other news, 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 transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were 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 $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on COST shares. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on shares of 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. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Robert W. Baird set a $1,175.00 price target on Costco Wholesale 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 report on Friday, October 9th. Twenty-five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.