Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Shares Sold by RKL Wealth Management LLC

RKL Wealth Management LLC lessened its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 13.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,486 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 2,011 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises 1.1% of RKL Wealth Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. RKL Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $12,483,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth $31,000. Hurley Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 120.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hurley Capital LLC now owns 33 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Collier Financial acquired a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, AXS Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 0.4%

NASDAQ:COST opened at $994.76 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $441.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.28, a PEG ratio of 5.27 and a beta of 1.01. 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 1 year low of $844.06 and a 1 year high of $1,067.08. The business has a fifty day moving average of $942.47 and a 200-day moving average of $934.83.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 11th. The retailer reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $0.07. The business 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 company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.04 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is currently 27.85%.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Citi raised its price target to $1,000 (from $990), maintaining a Neutral rating but highlighting modest upside after recent same-store sales and earnings beats — a catalyst for supportive analyst flows and buyer interest. Citi Raises Costco (COST) Price Target to $1,000 from $990
• Positive Sentiment: Reports that Costco is adding more big brands and lowering prices suggest renewed merchandising leverage that can drive traffic, membership retention and same-store sales. Costco adds more big brands and lowers prices
• Positive Sentiment: Local expansion news — a new Costco store is slated to open in Lawrence later this year — supports long-term unit growth and membership base expansion. New Costco store set to open in Lawrence later this year
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco is expected to announce earnings on Thursday — an event that can produce short-term volatility depending on guidance and membership trends. Traders are positioning ahead of the print. Costco Wholesale (COST) Expected to Announce Earnings on Thursday
• Neutral Sentiment: Product and food-court headlines (new mint/chocolate sundae treat) and supplier ranging wins (Pure Foods Tasmania securing Costco distribution) are positive for traffic/merchandise momentum but are limited as near-term earnings drivers. Costco launches new food court treat to rival McDonalds Pure Foods Tasmania lifts Easter sales and secures Costco ranging in revenue push
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concerns: analysis pieces argue Costco is a great business but currently priced for perfection (high P/E), which can limit multiple expansion and make the stock sensitive to any earnings miss. Costco: Fantastic Company, Unreasonable Valuation
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/tariff risks remain a recurring theme in coverage — persistent tariff uncertainty and consolidation risk could pressure margins or supply chains. Costco: Macro/Tariff Risks Persist – Further Consolidation Likely
• Negative Sentiment: Two class-action lawsuits targeting Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken surfaced — legal/PR issues that are unlikely to be material financially but could attract negative headlines. Costco’s $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken Is Facing 2 Class-Action Lawsuits

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Susan L. Decker sold 458 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $955.00, for a total transaction of $437,390.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,532 shares in the company, valued at $8,148,060. This trade represents a 5.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Russell D. Miller sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $916.32, for a total value of $1,374,480.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 8,240 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,550,476.80. The trade was a 15.40% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 6,915 shares of company stock valued at $6,317,097. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on COST shares. Raymond James Financial cut their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,070.00 to $1,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 12th. Evercore raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,025.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Guggenheim restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “sell” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $1,044.00 target price on Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Twenty-one research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,008.07.

Costco Wholesale Profile

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.