Littlejohn Financial Services Inc. Raises Stock Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Littlejohn Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 192.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,914 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,919 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale accounts for approximately 2.0% of Littlejohn Financial Services Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Littlejohn Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $2,697,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COST. Soundwatch Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 635.7% during the second quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,553 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 975.0% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 72.0% during the 2nd quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 2,200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 46 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

NASDAQ:COST opened at $950.98 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $893.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $930.64. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,078.23. The firm has a market cap of $422.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 1.02.

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

Insider Transactions at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 2,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $930.13, for a total value of $2,232,312.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,860,260. This represents a 54.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Russell D. Miller sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The stock was 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 $7,550,476.80. This represents a 15.40% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 10,446 shares of company stock worth $9,549,528 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on COST shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,218.00 to $1,171.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,065.00 to $990.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 29th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, December 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,225.00 to $1,130.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Twenty-one research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $996.00.

Trending Headlines about Costco Wholesale

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

• Positive Sentiment: Shares are in a technical breakout after a strong start to the year, attracting momentum-buying and questions about whether there’s still time to buy. Costco Finally Breaks Out: Is There Still Time to Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: ETF/strategist commentary highlights Costco as a beneficiary in a split consumer spending environment, which supports demand for defensive, low-price retailers. The K-Shaped Economy Isn’t Dead—And ETFs Are Picking Sides
• Positive Sentiment: Management is expanding footprint with plans to open six new warehouses across three states, supporting longer-term sales growth and member acquisition. The Costco Craze Continues: 6 New Warehouses Opening Across 3 States
• Neutral Sentiment: Several reports note executives sold stock to start the year but also point to strong December sales — a mixed signal that can pressure sentiment even if top-line trends remain healthy. Several Executives Sell Costco Stock (COST) to Start the New Year
• Neutral Sentiment: Positive long-term narratives and dividend/compound-return case studies continue to circulate (articles asking whether Costco can make you a millionaire), supporting buy-and-hold interest rather than near-term trading. Could Costco Help You Become a Millionaire Over the Long Term?
• Neutral Sentiment: Partnership/product placements (e.g., Quicklly launch) and consumer buzz (best items lists) sustain brand strength but have limited immediate impact on the stock. Quicklly Achieves a Major Nationwide Milestone with Landmark Costco and ALDI launch
• Negative Sentiment: Individual insider sales reported (e.g., Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr.) can spook some investors and are being tracked as potential bearish signals. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) Stock Unloaded Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.
• Negative Sentiment: Another reported insider sale (Russell Miller) adds to the perception of executive liquidity-taking, which can weigh on sentiment despite solid revenue trends. Russell Miller Sells 1,500 Shares of Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) Stock

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.