Kentucky Retirement Systems Has $27.91 Million Holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Kentucky Retirement Systems cut its position in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 1.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,465 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 420 shares during the quarter. Costco Wholesale makes up about 0.8% of Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $27,914,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Collier Financial acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Barrett & Company Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of 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 during the period. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. 68.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

Shares of COST stock opened at $1,034.22 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $974.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $928.97. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 12 month low of $697.27 and a 12 month high of $1,078.23. The firm has a market cap of $459.09 billion, a PE ratio of 60.73, a P/E/G ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 0.84.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The company 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. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on COST shares. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $1,100.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Monday, February 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $840.00 to $1,040.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,075.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,040.00 to $1,070.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,075.00 to $1,175.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Costco Wholesale currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average 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.