Simmons Bank Reduces Position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Simmons Bank lowered its holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,365 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 64 shares during the period. Costco Wholesale comprises 0.8% of Simmons Bank’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Simmons Bank’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $11,330,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. bought a new position in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Collier Financial bought a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Barrett & Company Inc. increased its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 59.3% in the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 43 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Trading Up 1.9 %

Costco Wholesale stock opened at $1,055.66 on Wednesday. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 12-month low of $697.27 and a 12-month high of $1,078.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $468.61 billion, a PE ratio of 61.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.15 and a beta of 0.84. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $977.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $935.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.43.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th were given a dividend of $1.16 per share. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,050.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,075.00 target price (up previously from $980.00) on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research report on Friday, February 14th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $840.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Raymond James increased their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $990.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,021.93.

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.