AE Wealth Management LLC Grows Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

AE Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 21.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,128 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,510 shares during the quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $38,996,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in COST. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 975.0% in the second quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 72.0% during the second quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Marquette Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Costco Wholesale by 2,200.0% during the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 46 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Spurstone Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP Javier Polit sold 2,049 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $867.21, for a total value of $1,776,913.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 10,748 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,320,773.08. This represents a 16.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP James C. Klauer sold 1,500 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $939.00, for a total value of $1,408,500.00. Following the sale, 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,315 shares of company stock valued at $8,549,409. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of NASDAQ COST opened at $960.78 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $904.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $929.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12-month low of $844.06 and a 12-month high of $1,078.23. The company has a market cap of $426.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.46, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 1.02.

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

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be 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 is Friday, January 30th. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is presently 27.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. HSBC reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,060.00 to $1,045.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,130.00 to $1,050.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,100.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Thursday, January 8th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut 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 report on Friday, December 12th. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $996.00.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Balance-sheet strength supports durability vs. retail headwinds — analysts point to Costco’s low debt, cash-rich position and rising membership fees as reasons it can outgrow sector pressures. Can Costco Outgrow Retail Headwinds? The Balance Sheet Says Yes
• Positive Sentiment: Upcoming dividend payment provides income support and may reduce near-term volatility for yield-focused holders — Costco will pay its next quarterly dividend on Feb. 13. Costco to pay dividends on February 13; Here’s how much 100 COST shares will earn
• Positive Sentiment: Momentum and bull-case coverage reinforce investor interest — multiple outlets highlight Costco as a long-term momentum/growth name and outline expansion and membership-driven revenue growth. Why Costco (COST) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: High-profile endorsement: Jim Cramer publicly reiterated his favorable view, which can reassure retail investors amid volatility. Jim Cramer Says “I Want You to Stay With Costco, I Still Like It”
• Neutral Sentiment: Ancillary product initiatives (e.g., Costco selling gold bars) have produced interesting niche returns but are unlikely to move top-line materially — more of a PR/ancillary revenue positive. If you bought a gold bar from Costco in 2025, here’s your return now
• Neutral Sentiment: Ongoing bullish thinkpieces and dividend-stock roundups keep investor attention but mostly restate known long-term strengths (membership model, steady same-store sales). Can This Unstoppable Stock Join the $1 Trillion Club in 5 Years?
• Negative Sentiment: Legal headline risk: a federal lawsuit alleges Costco mislabels its $4.99 rotisserie chickens as “preservative-free” despite using additives; media coverage and analysis raise potential reputational and litigation concerns that can pressure the stock near term. Costco accused of deceiving shoppers over popular $5 rotisserie chickens
• Negative Sentiment: Follow-up coverage examining valuation impact of the rotisserie-chicken suit and possible class-action costs could amplify volatility if legal exposure expands. Costco Rotisserie Chicken Lawsuit And What It Could Mean For Valuation

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.