Mufg Securities Americas Inc. Increases Stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 21.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,959 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 2,126 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale makes up about 0.7% of Mufg Securities Americas Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $11,070,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter worth $5,692,035,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Costco Wholesale by 96,316.6% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,378,758 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,364,888,000 after acquiring an additional 1,377,328 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 43,356,271 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $42,920,107,000 after purchasing an additional 711,560 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 9.8% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,291,557 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $4,248,384,000 after acquiring an additional 383,887 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 15,055.5% during the 2nd quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 320,994 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $317,722,000 after purchasing an additional 318,876 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Teresa A. Jones sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $986.26, for a total transaction of $838,321.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,228 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,169,907.28. This represents a 16.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Javier Polit sold 558 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $862.89, for a total value of $481,492.62. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 10,190 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,792,849.10. The trade was a 5.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 6,915 shares of company stock worth $6,317,097. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Broad-based comparable-sales strength across the U.S., Canada and international markets — traffic, higher tickets and digital sales are driving momentum. Why Costco’s Comparable Sales Strength Looks Broad-Based Globally
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts collectively rate COST as an average “Moderate Buy,” which supports near-term demand for shares from institutional buyers. Costco Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Articles highlight Costco’s stable profits and resilient supermarket-style business model, reinforcing its defensive, cash-generating profile. Costco: Supermarket Giant With Stable Profits
• Positive Sentiment: Tariff-rollbacks may be a tailwind for margins/pricing on imported goods — a cited near-term benefit for Costco’s cost structure. Costco: A Tariff-Rollback Winner, But No Longer On Sale
• Positive Sentiment: Retail buzz (viral food-court dessert) can boost foot traffic and member engagement, a small but relevant driver for same-store sales. Costco’s New $3 Food Court Dessert Is Going Viral
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher investor search/interest in COST signals attention but not direction — watch flows and news catalysts. Investors Heavily Search Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
• Neutral Sentiment: Mentions by high-profile commentators (e.g., Jim Cramer) keep the name in public view; helpful for retail interest but not a fundamental catalyst. Jim Cramer Looks Back On Costco’s Share Price Performance
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with Sam’s Club/Walmart highlight competitive context; price positioning remains a watch item but not a new risk. We compared Costco and Sam’s Club prices on store brand products
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concern: several pieces warn COST’s strong run has driven a high P/E (~52–53), raising the risk that future returns depend on continued execution and comp strength. Costco Stock Is Soaring, but Is It Getting Ahead of Itself?
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentators argue Costco’s premium valuation and ubiquity limit upside for new investors — a caution for long-term entrants at current levels. 1 Reason I Haven’t Bought Costco Stock — and Probably Never Will
• Negative Sentiment: Member-facing policy changes or rules that frustrate long-term members could be a minor retention risk if they scale. Costco rule may frustrate some members

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

NASDAQ:COST opened at $986.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $937.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $934.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $437.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.81, a PEG ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 1.01. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1 year low of $844.06 and a 1 year high of $1,067.08.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The retailer reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $0.07. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 2.96% and a return on equity of 29.35%. The business had revenue of $67.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $67.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.04 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the company. Daiwa Securities Group cut their target price on Costco Wholesale from $947.00 to $917.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. HSBC cut their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,060.00 to $1,045.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,218.00 to $1,171.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,070.00 to $1,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a “sell” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,008.07.

Costco Wholesale Company 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.