GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC Cuts Position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 14.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,155 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 1,173 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale makes up 0.8% of GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest position. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $6,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of COST. Horst & Graben Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Horst & Graben Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,801 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,650,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 16.6% in the 4th quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 387 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $355,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 2,442 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,236,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. McAdam LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 19.1% during the 4th quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 896 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $821,000 after buying an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Sage Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 7,059 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $6,468,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 2.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ COST opened at $1,005.83 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $446.49 billion, a PE ratio of 59.06, a PEG ratio of 5.84 and a beta of 0.84. Costco Wholesale Co. has a twelve month low of $697.27 and a twelve month high of $1,009.61. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $954.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $908.28.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.16 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.46%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.25%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on COST shares. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $1,016.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $950.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $990.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $880.00 to $900.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,019.00 to $1,020.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,013.59.

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.