Sterling Financial Planning Inc. Decreases Stock Position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Sterling Financial Planning Inc. trimmed its holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 41.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 712 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 502 shares during the period. Sterling Financial Planning Inc.’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $653,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Collier Financial acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Barrett & Company Inc. lifted its holdings in 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 acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 0.6 %

NASDAQ COST opened at $1,062.54 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $471.66 billion, a PE ratio of 62.39, a P/E/G ratio of 6.37 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $973.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $928.24. Costco Wholesale Co. has a fifty-two week low of $697.27 and a fifty-two week 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 Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors 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 yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 27.25%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen boosted their price objective 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. DA Davidson increased their price target on Costco Wholesale from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Roth Mkm upped their target price on Costco Wholesale from $755.00 to $907.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $950.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Nine investment 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, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.