Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) Stock Holdings Increased by Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 17.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,473 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 2,347 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises approximately 1.2% of Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund's holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $14,177,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Collier Financial acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Barrett & Company Inc. grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 59.3% during the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of COST stock traded up $0.20 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $1,035.03. 1,815,187 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,906,306. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 12 month low of $697.27 and a 12 month high of $1,078.23. The company has a market cap of $459.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.78, a PEG ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 0.84. The company's 50 day moving average price is $974.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $928.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.98.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be given 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 dividend yield of 0.45%. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on COST shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,050.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Oppenheimer reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $1,075.00 price objective (up from $980.00) on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $950.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their price target 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. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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.