Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-seven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $1,013.59.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,005.00 to $1,095.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $909.00 to $935.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,100.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $880.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,090.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of COST stock opened at $939.68 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $951.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $903.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $417.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.18, a PEG ratio of 5.63 and a beta of 0.84. Costco Wholesale has a 52 week low of $675.96 and a 52 week high of $1,008.25.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.16 per share. This represents a $4.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.25%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Costco Wholesale

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC grew its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC now owns 1,759 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,612,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Flavin Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,494,000. Calamos Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,389 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $6,770,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Paul R. Ried Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter worth $1,590,000. Finally, Blodgett Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Blodgett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,363 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,997,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Costco Wholesale

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.