Hamilton Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report) by 98.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,214 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 603 shares during the quarter. Hamilton Wealth LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,210,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Diamant Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 99,278.0% in the first quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,726,899 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $672,690,000 after purchasing an additional 6,720,130 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth $5,195,415,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 838.9% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,125,405 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $5,282,182,000 after purchasing an additional 5,472,968 shares during the period. Cardano Risk Management B.V. raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 907.1% during the 4th quarter. Cardano Risk Management B.V. now owns 1,785,080 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,539,346,000 after purchasing an additional 1,607,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 45.0% during the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 3,176,606 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,893,697,000 after purchasing an additional 986,182 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Key Costco Wholesale News
Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Costco is being highlighted as a relatively safe dividend stock as investors favor companies with resilient demand, recurring membership revenue and a history of profit growth. Its earnings expansion has supported ongoing dividend increases and other capital returns. Why Costco, Verizon, Kroger, and Other Safe Dividend Stocks Are Rising
- Positive Sentiment: Costco’s retail partnership with athlete-backed hydration brand Coco5 could add a new health-and-wellness product to its assortment and introduce the brand to millions of members, although the direct financial impact is likely modest initially. Coco5 Signs Retail Partnership with Costco
- Positive Sentiment: A Florida distribution center is now operating with on-site solar generation and battery storage, potentially reducing exposure to grid costs and disruptions while advancing Costco’s sustainability goals. Costco Is Running a Florida Distribution Center Fully Off the Grid
- Neutral Sentiment: The Federal Reserve kept interest rates at 3.5%–3.75%. Stable rates support predictable financing conditions, but the possibility of future policy changes remains important for Costco’s consumer demand and premium valuation. The Fed Held Rates at 3.5%-3.75%
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst comparisons with Walmart focus on Costco’s loyal membership base, digital growth and resilient sales, but also emphasize that COST trades at a richer valuation, leaving less room for disappointment. Walmart vs. Costco: Which Retail Stock Has the Stronger Edge?
- Negative Sentiment: Costco agreed to a $14 million settlement over allegations that emails sent to Washington shoppers used misleading subject lines. Costco denies wrongdoing, but the settlement adds legal expense and reputational risk. Costco’s $14 Million Email Settlement
- Negative Sentiment: Costco reportedly exited its relationship with Synergy CHC, a setback for that supplier and a possible indication of assortment or commercial changes, though the direct effect on Costco appears limited. Synergy CHC Faces Major Setback as Costco Exits
- Negative Sentiment: An animal-rights investigation alleges severe mistreatment and biosecurity violations at an organic chicken supplier connected to Costco. The allegations could increase supply-chain scrutiny and reputational risk if substantiated. Investigation Into Costco Chicken Supplier
Costco Wholesale Stock Performance
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 28th. The retailer reported $4.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by ($0.01). Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 28.04% and a net margin of 3.01%.The business had revenue of $70.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $70.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.28 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.42 earnings per share for the current year.
Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 24th will be given 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, July 24th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is 29.58%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,192.00 to $1,194.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Roth Capital raised their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $769.00 to $781.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Thursday, June 18th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $1,020.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings cut Costco Wholesale from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,088.00 to $1,159.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,059.07.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on COST
Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale
In other Costco Wholesale news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 885 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $957.45, for a total value of $847,343.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,779 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,575,653.55. This represents a 15.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Costco Wholesale 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.
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