Townsquare Capital LLC Sells 897 Shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Townsquare Capital LLC trimmed its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) by 20.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,453 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 897 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $3,196,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

More Costco Wholesale News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer reaffirmed his support for Costco, telling callers he still likes the stock and advising long?term holders to stay put — a high?visibility endorsement that can buoy retail investor demand. Jim Cramer Says “I Want You to Stay With Costco, I Still Like It”
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/market commentary remains constructive: brokerages give an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and multiple bullish write?ups highlight Costco’s membership model, steady comps and momentum characteristics. That supports demand at current premium multiples. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Minor institutional activity: Alpha Cubed Investments trimmed its position by ~1.7% in an earlier quarter (sold 560 shares). This is a small, non?disruptive move and not a clear signal of broad selling pressure. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC Trims Position in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST
• Neutral Sentiment: Product/service coverage and consumer buzz continue: a 2026 review of Costco’s pet insurance scores it 3.7/5 and viral food items (e.g., mini beignets) returned in new flavors — positive for engagement but unlikely to move fundamentals materially. Costco pet insurance review 2026: 3.7 out of 5 stars
• Neutral Sentiment: Relative valuation debate continues: pieces comparing Costco to discount peers (e.g., Dollar General) and Zacks momentum/earnings commentary underscore that COST is a premium, lower?growth?downside play vs. some turnaround names — useful context for investors but mixed in directional impact. Costco vs. Dollar General: Which Discount Retailer Is the Better Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Legal risk: a proposed class?action lawsuit alleges Costco misled shoppers by marketing its $4.99 rotisserie chicken as preservative?free while using ingredients like sodium phosphate and carrageenan. This is the most material near?term negative — reputational damage, potential settlements or wider litigation could pressure the stock if the case gains traction. Costco Is Sued Over Preservatives in Its $5 Rotisserie Chickens

Analyst Ratings Changes

COST has been the subject of several analyst reports. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,033.00 to $926.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. HSBC reduced their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,060.00 to $1,045.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research 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 research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Raymond James Financial lowered 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. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,134.00 to $1,146.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $996.00.

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 0.8%

COST stock opened at $952.89 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $422.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.04, a P/E/G ratio of 5.74 and a beta of 1.02. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a twelve month low of $844.06 and a twelve month high of $1,078.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $905.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $929.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

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

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is 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 Activity at Costco Wholesale

In related news, EVP Russell D. Miller sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $916.32, for a total transaction of $1,374,480.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 8,240 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,550,476.80. This trade represents a 15.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Teresa A. Jones sold 850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $986.26, for a total transaction of $838,321.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,228 shares in the company, valued at $4,169,907.28. This represents a 16.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,315 shares of company stock valued at $8,549,409. Insiders own 0.10% of the company’s 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.