HB Wealth Management LLC Raises Stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 12.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,150 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,022 shares during the quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $25,131,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bulwark Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Soundwatch Capital LLC lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 635.7% during the 2nd quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,553 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Anderson Financial Strategies LLC boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 900.0% in the 1st quarter. Anderson Financial Strategies LLC now owns 40 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. grew its stake in Costco Wholesale by 975.0% during 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. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $882.58 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $391.75 billion, a PE ratio of 47.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.33 and a beta of 1.02. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $892.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $932.63. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a one year low of $844.06 and a one year high of $1,078.23. 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 (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The retailer reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $67.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $67.03 billion. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 2.96% and a return on equity of 29.35%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.04 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 31st. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is presently 27.85%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,025.00 to $1,027.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,125.00 to $1,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Twenty investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $994.08.

Key Stories 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)

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $935.68, for a total transaction of $2,526,336.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,851 shares in the company, valued at $6,410,343.68. This represents a 28.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Tiffany Marie Barbre sold 1,239 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $934.62, for a total transaction of $1,157,994.18. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 5,155 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,817,966.10. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 8,946 shares of company stock worth $8,175,048. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.