Baring Financial LLC Makes New Investment in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Baring Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,004 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,837,000. Costco Wholesale accounts for 1.6% of Baring Financial LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter valued at $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

COST has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $755.00 to $907.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,090.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,075.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Citigroup raised their price target on Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Costco Wholesale from $880.00 to $900.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,013.59.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of COST opened at $979.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $434.97 billion, a PE ratio of 57.54, a P/E/G ratio of 5.75 and a beta of 0.84. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $954.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $906.54. Costco Wholesale Co. has a twelve month low of $691.50 and a twelve month high of $1,008.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 0.47%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is presently 27.25%.

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.