1,724 Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Purchased by Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 66,342 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,724 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $60,394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 5.8% during the third quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 386 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $351,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Single Point Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the third quarter valued at $208,000. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE raised its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 18.1% in the third quarter. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE now owns 3,260 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,968,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Retirement Planning Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Planning Group LLC now owns 51,069 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $46,490,000 after acquiring an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Donalies Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth about $637,000. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

COST opened at $994.61 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $935.01 and a 200 day moving average of $963.02. The stock has a market cap of $440.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.91, a PEG ratio of 4.25 and a beta of 0.88. 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 Corporation has a 52-week low of $844.06 and a 52-week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last released its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, 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 paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

COST has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,065.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Roth Capital reissued a “sell” rating and issued a $781.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,087.40.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco’s low-price, high-volume model could benefit as inflation reaches 3.7% and shoppers become more focused on value. Its membership model and self-imposed markup discipline may help defend customer traffic and retention. Inflation Just Hit 3.7%: Here’s Why Walmart and Costco Could Be the Biggest Winners
• Positive Sentiment: Costco continues to show strong sales momentum, while faster delivery, AI-assisted shopping and digital partnerships are supporting online growth across the retail sector. These trends could help Costco broaden customer engagement beyond its warehouses. Walmart, Target and Costco Win Over Digital Shoppers With Speed
• Neutral Sentiment: International expansion remains a long-term opportunity: 292 of Costco’s 939 warehouses are outside the United States and Puerto Rico. However, overseas growth must generate enough recurring memberships to cover local investment and operating costs. Can Costco’s Membership Model Travel Further Overseas?
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles highlighting Costco’s customer loyalty, food-court offerings and tote-bag initiatives reinforce its value-oriented brand, but these developments are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings expectations. Costco Is One of the Best Retailers on the Planet
• Negative Sentiment: Walmart’s push toward $1 trillion in holiday sales highlights growing competitive pressure during the crucial shopping season. Investors may question whether Costco can maintain its sales momentum against Walmart’s broader assortment and digital reach. Costco Stock Flat as Walmart Aims at $1 Trillion Holiday Sales
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation remains the primary concern. Costco’s strong multiyear gains and roughly 49-times earnings multiple leave limited room for disappointment, while Truist maintained a Hold rating and a $955 price target below the current trading level. Why Truist Remains on the Sidelines on Costco Despite Sales Momentum

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total value of $2,015,046.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

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.