Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Bought by Strategic Planning Group LLC

Strategic Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 53.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 23,325 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,165 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for about 2.9% of Strategic Planning Group LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Strategic Planning Group LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $21,591,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Peterson Wealth Services raised its stake in Costco Wholesale by 0.5% during the second quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 13,616 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $13,479,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI now owns 16,888 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $16,718,000 after buying an additional 575 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 49.3% during the 3rd quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 3,780 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,499,000 after buying an additional 1,248 shares during the last quarter. Permanent Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $874,000. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 2.0% in the second quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 15,799 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $15,640,000 after acquiring an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of Costco Wholesale stock opened at $882.58 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $892.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $932.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.04. 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 $391.75 billion, a PE ratio of 47.27, a P/E/G ratio of 5.33 and a beta of 1.02.

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

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 27.85%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Tiffany Marie Barbre sold 1,239 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $934.62, for a total transaction of $1,157,994.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,155 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,817,966.10. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 2,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $930.13, for a total value of $2,232,312.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,860,260. The trade was a 54.55% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 8,946 shares of company stock worth $8,175,048. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: December sales: Costco reported December net sales of $29.86B, up 8.5% year-over-year, with total-company comparable sales +7.0% and digitally‑enabled sales up ~19%, signaling broad-based demand and e‑commerce strength. Costco Reports December Sales Results
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade: Mizuho upgraded COST to “outperform” and raised its price target to $1,000, giving investors a sizable upside target and renewed buy-side interest. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) Upgraded at Mizuho
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction / momentum: Coverage notes that COST shares rallied in extended trading after the sales release and monthly comps, reinforcing near-term bullish momentum among traders. Costco Stock Pops After Sales Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst conviction: Several firms continue to rate COST favorably (median price targets near ~$1,030), which supports the long‑term bull case but also shows dispersion in near‑term valuations. QuiverQuant Sales Summary & Analyst Targets
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate commentary & prepared remarks: Costco posted prepared remarks/transcript for its period‑ending trading statement (useful for details and management tone, but not new guidance). Prepared Remarks Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Operational updates & consumer interest: Pieces on Costco Travel and how members use services (travel bookings, food court) raise engagement but are unlikely to move near‑term earnings materially. How to Book Travel Through Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Local litigation risk: A lawsuit seeks to block a planned Route 17 Costco in Paramus, NJ, illustrating how municipal or legal obstacles can delay store openings and related revenue/capex. Paramus Lawsuit Seeks to Block Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling noted: Recent data shows several executive sales disclosed, which can create caution among some investors even if sales are routine estate/liquidity transactions. QuiverQuant Insider Activity (within sales report)

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $1,100.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday. DA Davidson reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,225.00 to $1,130.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 26th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,033.00 to $926.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Twenty 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 data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $994.08.

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.