Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. Sells 1,657 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 7.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,682 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 1,657 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale accounts for 1.4% of Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $19,738,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 31.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $22,359,224,000 after buying an additional 5,749,362 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.5% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $7,488,203,000 after buying an additional 773,651 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 5.5% during the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,068,312 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,870,314,000 after buying an additional 160,893 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.1% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,839,016 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,828,881,000 after buying an additional 283,360 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth $2,362,188,000. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 available through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on 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 approximately $2,964,701.74. The trade was a 26.23% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Digital and pharmacy growth offer upside. Costco’s AI-driven search traffic and related online sales are reportedly growing at triple-digit rates, while pharmacy sales have increased nearly 20%. Expanded services, including GLP-1 and fertility offerings, could strengthen member engagement and renewal rates. Costco’s AI Search Traffic Soars
• Positive Sentiment: New partnerships may improve member value. NationsBenefits is making healthcare benefits redeemable at more than 600 participating Costco warehouses, potentially increasing traffic and spending among eligible members. NationsBenefits Expands Member Access
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum is improving. Market technician Katie Stockton said Costco’s momentum is strengthening heading into November, reinforcing the bullish view following recent gains and the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat. Costco momentum is improving
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and special-dividend potential provide shareholder support. Costco’s upcoming $1.47 dividend and speculation about a possible special dividend may attract income-oriented investors, although the regular yield remains modest at the current share price. Costco Special Dividend Prospects
• Neutral Sentiment: ETF activity was a modest technical headwind. ETFs were reported as net sellers of COST on October 23, which could add short-term supply but does not materially change Costco’s operating outlook. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is the central concern. With COST trading at roughly 48 times earnings and near record levels, analysts warn that expectations are extremely high. Mixed consumer and macroeconomic conditions mean even a modest slowdown or weaker guidance could pressure the stock. Costco Remains a Defensive Compounder
• Negative Sentiment: A proposed warehouse cancellation removes a potential expansion catalyst. Costco withdrew its application for a warehouse near Highway 55 in Eagle, although the impact is likely limited unless the decision signals broader permitting or expansion challenges. Costco pulls application for warehouse near Highway 55

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 1.3%

NASDAQ:COST opened at $992.13 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $439.64 billion, a PE ratio of 47.79 and a beta of 0.88. The business’s 50 day moving average is $940.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $969.21. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.54 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. Costco Wholesale’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

COST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Argus restated a “buy” rating and issued a $1,230.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Twenty-five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,086.19.

Costco Wholesale Company 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.