Rice Partnership LLC Boosts Stake in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Rice Partnership LLC raised its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,223 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 633 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale makes up about 2.3% of Rice Partnership LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Rice Partnership LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $12,116,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. AMF Tjanstepension AB purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter worth $42,896,000. Czech National Bank grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 6.9% during the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 90,312 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $80,063,000 after acquiring an additional 5,799 shares during the last quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 3.3% during the third quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 539 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $478,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Security National Bank raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Security National Bank now owns 824 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $730,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bath Savings Trust Co raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Bath Savings Trust Co now owns 21,821 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $19,345,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 1.6 %

COST stock opened at $1,021.86 on Wednesday. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 12-month low of $697.27 and a 12-month high of $1,024.35. The business’s 50-day moving average is $955.41 and its 200 day moving average is $909.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The stock has a market cap of $453.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.00, a PEG ratio of 5.84 and a beta of 0.84.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $1.16 per share. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 27.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on COST shares. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $850.00 to $940.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $1,016.00 target price for the company. Tigress Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $1,065.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $1,075.00 target price (up previously from $980.00) on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $909.00 to $935.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,013.59.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories.