Global Retirement Partners LLC Lowers Stock Position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Global Retirement Partners LLC lessened its stake in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 2.5% 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 15,163 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 393 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $13,894,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COST. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Collier Financial bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Barrett & Company Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 59.3% in the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Trading Down 1.5 %

NASDAQ COST opened at $1,056.03 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $468.77 billion, a PE ratio of 62.01, a P/E/G ratio of 6.37 and a beta of 0.84. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $972.43 and its 200 day moving average is $927.29. Costco Wholesale Co. has a twelve month low of $697.27 and a twelve month high of $1,078.23. 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 Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be issued a dividend of $1.16 per share. This represents a $4.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on COST. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,090.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,075.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $850.00 to $940.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $950.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $840.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,021.93.

Costco Wholesale 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.