United Asset Strategies Inc. Sells 945 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

United Asset Strategies Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 33.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,871 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 945 shares during the period. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,704,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Choreo LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 21,064 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $19,176,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. Sterling Financial Planning Inc. raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Sterling Financial Planning Inc. now owns 636 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 74.9% during the third quarter. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 2,191 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,995,000 after purchasing an additional 938 shares in the last quarter. Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc now owns 3,337 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $3,038,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners LLC now owns 964 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $878,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

NASDAQ COST opened at $996.08 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $941.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $969.91. The stock has a market cap of $441.39 billion, a PE ratio of 47.98, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. 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 (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.87 EPS. Costco Wholesale’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is presently 28.32%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was 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 approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, 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 value of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 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: Costco’s shares increased as the Federal Trade Commission opened a pricing probe into rivals Walmart and Target. The investigation could highlight Costco’s value proposition and competitive positioning, although it does not directly involve Costco. Costco Stock Ticks Up as the FTC Launches Pricing Probe into Rivals
• Positive Sentiment: Recent coverage points to Costco attracting younger shoppers, including consumers under 40 who use mobile and artificial-intelligence tools while retaining interest in the company’s “treasure hunt” shopping experience. This suggests Costco’s brand and digital engagement remain relevant to future members. The New Costco Shopper Is Under 40
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to cite Costco’s competitive advantages, including strong member loyalty, high renewal rates and the recurring revenue generated by memberships. CICC also initiated coverage with an Outperform rating, adding to the positive analyst sentiment. Costco Stock’s Long-Term Upside Could Come From These Competitive Advantages
• Positive Sentiment: Costco expanded real-time health-benefit redemptions to more than 600 U.S. warehouses through NationsBenefits. The initiative could improve convenience, support store traffic and create longer-term opportunities in healthcare-related services. Costco Brings Real-Time Health Benefit Checkouts to More Than 600 Stores
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco opened a location in Western New York, providing incremental warehouse expansion and potential membership growth, though the financial impact is likely limited in the near term. Costco Opens Its Doors in Western New York
• Negative Sentiment: Costco’s valuation remains a concern: its premium price-to-earnings multiple leaves less room for execution mistakes and may limit upside if growth slows. Costco’s Valuation Remains a Head Scratcher
• Negative Sentiment: Complaints about Costco’s food-court experience represent a minor customer-satisfaction risk, though the issue is unlikely to materially affect the investment thesis by itself. Costco Faces Major Food Court Complaints

Analysts Set New Price Targets

COST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. HSBC upgraded Costco Wholesale to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research report on Friday, September 25th. CICC Research assumed coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $1,050.00 price objective on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,144.00 to $1,143.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average 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.