Global Trust Asset Management LLC Raises Position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 0.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,737 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale makes up 1.0% of Global Trust Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Global Trust Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $2,508,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Advisory Alpha LLC raised its holdings in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Advisory Alpha LLC now owns 3,115 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,854,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. West Branch Capital LLC grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. West Branch Capital LLC now owns 2,999 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,748,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the period. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 1,720 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,565,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. Corepath Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Finally, Barlow Wealth Partners Inc. grew its position in Costco Wholesale by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Barlow Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 33,255 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $30,711,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $1,016.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted 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. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Tigress Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $1,065.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,019.00 to $1,020.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,013.59.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Costco Wholesale stock opened at $942.16 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $418.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.32, a PEG ratio of 5.65 and a beta of 0.84. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $950.56 and its 200 day moving average is $903.04. 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 Co. has a 52-week low of $675.96 and a 52-week high of $1,008.25.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a $1.16 dividend. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.49%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is currently 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.