Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Sold by Kimelman & Baird LLC

Kimelman & Baird LLC reduced its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 62,052 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 544 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale accounts for about 4.0% of Kimelman & Baird LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Kimelman & Baird LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $56,489,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. American State Bank Iowa grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. American State Bank Iowa now owns 1,675 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,525,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Chapman Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 200.5% during the 3rd quarter. Chapman Investment Management LLC now owns 13,962 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $12,710,000 after purchasing an additional 27,852 shares in the last quarter. Cullinan Associates Inc. increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Cullinan Associates Inc. now owns 10,065 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $9,163,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. J. Derek Lewis & Associates Inc. raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. J. Derek Lewis & Associates Inc. now owns 4,386 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,993,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the period. Finally, Uhlmann Price Securities LLC raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 53.6% during the 3rd quarter. Uhlmann Price Securities LLC now owns 656 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $597,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 1.1%

COST stock opened at $1,053.56 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $466.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.75, a P/E/G ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of $952.42 and a 200-day moving average of $972.49. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.87 EPS. Costco Wholesale’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total transaction of $2,015,046.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco reported October net sales of $24.50 billion, up 12.6% year over year. U.S. comparable sales rose 8.1% excluding gasoline-price changes, while digital growth also accelerated—evidence of continued customer demand. Costco’s October Net Sales Jump 12.6% as Digital Growth Accelerates
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target to $1,150 from $1,015 and maintained an overweight rating. Bank of America also kept its buy rating following the stronger U.S. comparable-sales results. JPMorgan price-target update Costco retains BofA buy as October U.S. comps rise
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent coverage points to solid share-price momentum, supported by a string of earnings beats, but investors may be watching whether earnings growth can justify the stock’s valuation. Costco Stock: Earnings Growth Could Shape the Next Big Move
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation remains a key risk: reports cite a trailing P/E near 49, leaving limited room for disappointment, while earnings revisions have raised concerns. Citi maintained a hold rating with a $1,020 target, reflecting a more cautious view than JPMorgan’s. Costco Stock: Why Analysts Are Split Despite Strong October Sales

Analyst Ratings Changes

COST has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,091.00 to $1,079.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,015.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. Roth Capital reissued a “sell” rating and set a $781.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,090.55.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership-based warehouse clubs that offer a broad selection of merchandise at generally low prices. Its products include groceries, fresh foods, appliances, electronics, apparel, furniture, and household goods, as well as its Kirkland Signature private-label line.

The company also provides services such as gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical and hearing-aid centers, food courts, and travel offerings. Costco serves members through warehouses and online channels.

Founded in 1983 in Seattle, Costco has expanded across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.