Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management Sells 848 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lessened its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 3.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 22,349 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 848 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $19,272,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hurley Capital LLC grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 120.0% in the third quarter. Hurley Capital LLC now owns 33 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Collier Financial purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the third quarter valued at about $35,000. AXS Investments LLC bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 0.0%

COST opened at $996.56 on Thursday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 12 month low of $844.06 and a 12 month high of $1,067.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $988.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $939.68. The company has a market cap of $442.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.82, a P/E/G ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 0.99.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The retailer reported $4.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $69.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $68.96 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.02 EPS. Costco Wholesale’s quarterly revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 EPS for the current year.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th were paid 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 dividend payout ratio is 27.04%.

Costco Wholesale News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $1,125 price target, signaling analyst confidence and ~13% upside versus recent levels. Telsey Outperform, $1,125 PT
• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer recommended Costco as a defensive, buyable name in the current environment, which can attract retail flows and support the stock. Jim Cramer on Costco
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple pieces highlight Costco as a beneficiary of high gas prices — fuel acts as a loss leader that drives membership renewals and in-store sales, potentially boosting traffic and comps. Surprising Beneficiaries of High Gas Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Costco is rolling out its first stand-alone gas stations to ease store congestion and extend fuel access — a tactical move that can scale the gas-as-loss-leader strategy. Costco First Stand-Alone Gas Station
• Positive Sentiment: Operational improvements: reports say new checkout tech cuts payment time to ~8 seconds, which should improve throughput and the shopping experience — a modest margin/enjoyment tailwind. New Checkout Technology
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain split on near-term upside despite expected March sales growth; mixed forecasts mean guidance and comps will matter more than headlines. Analysts Split on March Sales
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry comparisons (Costco vs. Walmart/Amazon) and long‑term return retrospectives keep COST on investors’ radar, but they reinforce valuation debates rather than immediate catalysts. Costco vs. Walmart Debate
• Negative Sentiment: Several consumer stories about pricey novelty items (a $140, 10‑lb Easter bunny) and an “overpriced” dessert have provoked member backlash on social media — a PR headwind that could dent short‑term sentiment but is unlikely to affect core membership economics. Costco $140 Easter Bunny

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on COST shares. Bank of America initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, February 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $1,185.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Costco Wholesale from $900.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $926.00 to $977.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a “sell” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,039.13.

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

In other news, EVP Russell D. Miller sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $916.32, for a total value of $1,374,480.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 8,240 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,550,476.80. This trade represents a 15.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 730 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,003.02, for a total transaction of $732,204.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,121 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,139,485.42. This represents a 10.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 5,038 shares of company stock valued at $4,790,896. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by 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.