AK Global Asset Management LLC Acquires Shares of 3,580 Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

AK Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,580 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $3,087,000. Costco Wholesale comprises approximately 2.7% of AK Global Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of COST. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1,586.8% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,137,436 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $980,857,000 after acquiring an additional 1,070,005 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 45.0% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 3,176,606 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,893,697,000 after acquiring an additional 986,182 shares in the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 112.2% during the third quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 477,425 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $441,919,000 after acquiring an additional 252,453 shares in the last quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 638.7% during the second quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 227,310 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $225,023,000 after acquiring an additional 196,537 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 55.0% during the second quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 490,871 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $485,933,000 after acquiring an additional 174,082 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Susan L. Decker sold 458 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $955.00, for a total transaction of $437,390.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,532 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,148,060. The trade was a 5.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP James C. Klauer sold 1,500 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.00, for a total value of $1,408,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 44,837 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,101,943. The trade was a 3.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 5,038 shares of company stock worth $4,790,896. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,013.21 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $449.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.69, a PEG ratio of 5.01 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 1.06. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $991.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $941.25. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 52-week low of $844.06 and a 52-week high of $1,067.08.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The retailer reported $4.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.55 by $0.03. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 28.57% and a net margin of 2.99%.The business had revenue of $69.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $68.96 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.02 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is presently 27.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on COST shares. Truist Financial raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $926.00 to $977.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Bank of America started coverage on Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, February 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $1,185.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,050.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and set a $1,125.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $890.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,039.13.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Costco has introduced a Kirkland Signature energy drink line that closely matches popular Celsius flavors at lower prices, expanding private‑label into a high‑growth category. This could boost margins, strengthen Costco’s buyer/supplier leverage, and keep member value high. Costco Tests Kirkland Energy Drinks And Supplier Power With Celsius Lookalike
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary highlights Costco as a rare inflation beneficiary: discounted gas and bulk pricing are driving stronger fuel sales and membership engagement, supporting top‑line resilience. That dynamic helps justify premium multiples if it continues. Costco: The Surprising Winner of Rising Gas Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Sector news: Sam’s Club announced a membership/fee change effective May 1, which could push price‑sensitive customers toward Costco and be a modest competitive tailwind. Dear Costco Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for May 1
• Positive Sentiment: New store openings (e.g., New Braunfels) continue Costco’s footprint expansion, supporting membership growth and steady unit expansion. Costco to open New Braunfels location this spring
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry moves — traditional grocers and suppliers (e.g., PepsiCo cutting snack prices) are adjusting strategies to close the value gap, which shifts competitive dynamics but doesn’t uniquely hurt Costco’s warehouse model. How traditional grocers are trying to narrow the ‘value gap’ with discount competitors PepsiCo Cuts Snack Prices Up To 15% After Doritos Jump Nearly 50%
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and positioning concerns: multiple recent pieces question whether Costco’s premium valuation (strong YTD performance and high P/E) leaves limited upside and increases sensitivity to any slowdown. That narrative can pressure the share price despite solid fundamentals. Is It Too Late to Buy Costco or Merck? Are These Defensive Stocks Overbought? Costco Stock Deep Dive: Vibecession Winner Or Overpriced Recession Insurance

About Costco Wholesale

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.