Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST Stock Purchased by Peterson Wealth Services

Peterson Wealth Services lifted its position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 14,396 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 532 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises about 2.8% of Peterson Wealth Services’ investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Peterson Wealth Services’ holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $13,105,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. State Street Corp grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 31.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 23,901,594 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $22,359,224,000 after buying an additional 5,749,362 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,515,031 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $7,488,203,000 after acquiring an additional 773,651 shares during the last quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 99,278.0% in the 1st quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,726,899 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $672,690,000 after acquiring an additional 6,720,130 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,068,312 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,870,314,000 after acquiring an additional 160,893 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 2,839,016 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,828,881,000 after acquiring an additional 283,360 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the firm’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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This trade represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the business’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 value of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,964,701.74. The trade was 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 corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 0.2%

COST opened at $1,005.16 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $445.42 billion, a PE ratio of 48.42, a P/E/G ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52 week low of $844.06 and a 52 week high of $1,096.50. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $938.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $968.09.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last released 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. 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 the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.87 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is presently 28.32%.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AI-driven shopping could support e-commerce growth. Costco is seeing triple-digit increases in traffic and sales originating from AI-powered search, with strong conversion rates. Although the channel remains small, broader adoption could provide a new source of online customer acquisition. Costco’s AI Search Traffic Soars: Can It Fuel Online Sales?
• Positive Sentiment: Health-services expansion may improve member retention. New pharmacy and health offerings, including expanded GLP-1 and fertility-related options and mobile payment capabilities, could make memberships more valuable and encourage renewals. Costco expands a key health offering
• Positive Sentiment: Warehouse growth remains a long-term sales catalyst. Costco is preparing to open a 152,000-square-foot location after delays and reportedly plans 33 new warehouses in 2027, supporting future membership and revenue growth. Costco is finally opening a massive warehouse Costco is opening 33 new warehouses in 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data provides no meaningful bearish signal. The report lists zero shares sold short and a zero-day short-interest ratio, suggesting limited measurable short-selling pressure, although the data appears inconsistent with the description of a “significant increase.”
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation remains the primary risk. An investor analysis argues that COST is overvalued despite its durable business model and strong long-term performance. At its elevated earnings multiple, the stock may require continued strong growth to justify further gains. Costco valuation and 10-year outlook

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Roth Capital restated a “sell” rating and issued a $781.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, September 25th. HSBC upgraded shares of Costco Wholesale to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,200.00 to $1,095.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock 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.