Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST is Baldwin Investment Management LLC’s 8th Largest Position

Baldwin Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 10.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,048 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,058 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for approximately 1.2% of Baldwin Investment Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Baldwin Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $10,226,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Soundwatch Capital LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 635.7% during the second quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,553 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the second quarter valued at $31,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Collier Financial acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, AXS Investments LLC acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of Costco Wholesale stock opened at $986.02 on Tuesday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a twelve month low of $844.06 and a twelve month high of $1,067.08. The stock has a market cap of $437.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $937.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $934.29.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 11th. The retailer reported $4.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.27 by $0.07. Costco Wholesale had a return on equity of 29.35% and a net margin of 2.96%.The company had revenue of $67.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $67.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.04 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 18.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Teresa A. Jones sold 850 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $986.26, for a total transaction of $838,321.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,228 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,169,907.28. The trade was a 16.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Susan L. Decker sold 458 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $955.00, for a total transaction of $437,390.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,532 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,148,060. The trade was a 5.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 6,915 shares of company stock valued at $6,317,097 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Broad-based comparable-sales strength across the U.S., Canada and international markets — traffic, higher tickets and digital sales are driving momentum. Why Costco’s Comparable Sales Strength Looks Broad-Based Globally
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts collectively rate COST as an average “Moderate Buy,” which supports near-term demand for shares from institutional buyers. Costco Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Articles highlight Costco’s stable profits and resilient supermarket-style business model, reinforcing its defensive, cash-generating profile. Costco: Supermarket Giant With Stable Profits
• Positive Sentiment: Tariff-rollbacks may be a tailwind for margins/pricing on imported goods — a cited near-term benefit for Costco’s cost structure. Costco: A Tariff-Rollback Winner, But No Longer On Sale
• Positive Sentiment: Retail buzz (viral food-court dessert) can boost foot traffic and member engagement, a small but relevant driver for same-store sales. Costco’s New $3 Food Court Dessert Is Going Viral
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher investor search/interest in COST signals attention but not direction — watch flows and news catalysts. Investors Heavily Search Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
• Neutral Sentiment: Mentions by high-profile commentators (e.g., Jim Cramer) keep the name in public view; helpful for retail interest but not a fundamental catalyst. Jim Cramer Looks Back On Costco’s Share Price Performance
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with Sam’s Club/Walmart highlight competitive context; price positioning remains a watch item but not a new risk. We compared Costco and Sam’s Club prices on store brand products
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concern: several pieces warn COST’s strong run has driven a high P/E (~52–53), raising the risk that future returns depend on continued execution and comp strength. Costco Stock Is Soaring, but Is It Getting Ahead of Itself?
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentators argue Costco’s premium valuation and ubiquity limit upside for new investors — a caution for long-term entrants at current levels. 1 Reason I Haven’t Bought Costco Stock — and Probably Never Will
• Negative Sentiment: Member-facing policy changes or rules that frustrate long-term members could be a minor retention risk if they scale. Costco rule may frustrate some members

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on COST shares. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,065.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Raymond James Financial cut their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,070.00 to $1,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. Northcoast Research set a $1,100.00 price objective on Costco Wholesale and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,218.00 to $1,171.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Twenty-one research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,008.07.

Costco Wholesale Company 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.