Rep. Rick W. Allen Sells Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)

Representative Rick W. Allen (Republican-Georgia) recently sold shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST). In a filing disclosed on October 14th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $1,001 and $15,000 in Costco Wholesale stock on September 18th. The trade occurred in the Representative’s “R.W. ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC. > RWA&A – SECURITIES” account.

Representative Rick W. Allen also recently made the following trade(s):

• Sold $15,001 – $50,000 in shares of AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) on 9/22/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) on 8/12/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) on 8/12/2026.
• Sold $15,001 – $50,000 in shares of Rollins (NYSE:ROL) on 8/12/2026.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 1.1%

COST opened at $989.11 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $438.30 billion, a PE ratio of 47.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $933.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $963.28. 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.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 27.60% and a net margin of 3.04%. The firm had revenue of $95.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $94.97 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.87 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

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

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: September sales accelerated: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results reinforce the strength of Costco’s membership model, e-commerce business and value-focused offering. September Sales Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong: Tigress Financial reiterated a Buy rating while setting a $1,065 price target after previously publicizing a higher $1,250 target. Other coverage highlights Costco’s sales growth, membership loyalty and digital gains, supporting the recent recovery above key moving averages. Tigress Financial Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend maintained: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. While the approximately 0.6% yield is modest, the payment signals continued cash-flow strength. Costco Dividend Announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Expansion pipeline: Proposed warehouse projects in Macon and Oakland, along with a planned Merced County relocation, point to continued investment in Costco’s store network. Infrastructure financing of up to $30 million could support the Macon development. Macon Costco Project
• Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s fiscal 2027 executive bonus plan adds sustainability-related measures. The change may support long-term operational goals, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Costco Executive Bonus Update
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and macro risks remain: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable if growth or membership trends slow. Persistent inflation and potentially higher interest rates could also pressure consumer spending and market valuations.
• Negative Sentiment: An executive sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million. The transaction is relatively small compared with Costco’s market value, but it may add a modest cautionary signal for investors. Costco Insider Sale

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on COST shares. Freedom Broker cut their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,030.00 to $1,010.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,100.00 to $1,065.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,100.00 in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and set a $1,000.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Twenty-four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,087.40.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,964,701.74. This represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. The trade was a 23.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Costco Wholesale

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 107.7% in the third quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 27 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Burk Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

About Representative Allen

Rick Allen (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2015. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Allen (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Allen was born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1951. He attended Auburn University in Alabama, graduating in 1973 with a B.S. in building construction.

After earning his degree, Allen worked as an estimator, project administrator and assistant to the president with a construction firm in Augusta. In 1976, he founded his own construction business, R. W. Allen & Associates, Inc. The company operates in six states across the country. In 2008, Allen was presented with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Person of the Year award.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh foods, beverages, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal products. It also offers services such as gasoline, pharmacies, optical departments, hearing-aid centers, food courts, travel services, and business delivery in selected markets.

Costco markets many products under its private-label Kirkland Signature brand and sells merchandise through warehouse locations and e-commerce platforms.