Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) Shares Sold by Legacy Capital Group California Inc.

Legacy Capital Group California Inc. decreased its holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 1.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,196 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 23 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale makes up approximately 0.6% of Legacy Capital Group California Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Legacy Capital Group California Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $2,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. AMF Tjanstepension AB purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter worth $42,896,000. Swedbank AB increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.5% during the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 443,747 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $393,391,000 after purchasing an additional 6,495 shares during the last quarter. Blossom Wealth Management raised its stake in Costco Wholesale by 2.3% during the third quarter. Blossom Wealth Management now owns 679 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $602,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Community Trust & Investment Co. boosted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Community Trust & Investment Co. now owns 18,548 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $16,443,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Liberty Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc. now owns 16,301 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $14,451,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,075.00 to $1,175.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,050.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Raymond James increased their price target on Costco Wholesale from $990.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $1,000.00 to $1,075.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Roth Mkm upped their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $755.00 to $907.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,021.93.

Costco Wholesale Stock Down 2.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $1,034.22 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Costco Wholesale Co. has a fifty-two week low of $697.27 and a fifty-two week high of $1,078.23. The stock has a market cap of $459.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 0.84. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $974.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $928.97.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $1.16 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.25%.

Costco Wholesale Company Profile

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories.