Morton Capital Management LLC CA Cuts Stock Holdings in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Morton Capital Management LLC CA lessened its stake in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,288 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 12 shares during the quarter. Morton Capital Management LLC CA’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $1,180,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Certified Advisory Corp lifted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Certified Advisory Corp now owns 7,099 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $6,505,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Ullmann Wealth Partners Group LLC increased its position in Costco Wholesale by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Ullmann Wealth Partners Group LLC now owns 2,010 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,842,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Fermata Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Fermata Advisors LLC now owns 2,115 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,938,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 3,893 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $3,567,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 19,794 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $18,137,000 after purchasing an additional 918 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Richard A. Galanti sold 1,416 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $894.68, for a total transaction of $1,266,866.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 27,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $24,514,232. This trade represents a 4.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:COST opened at $943.19 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $418.68 billion, a PE ratio of 55.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.60 and a beta of 0.84. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 52 week low of $675.96 and a 52 week high of $1,008.25. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $949.84 and its 200-day moving average is $900.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.98.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on COST shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Costco Wholesale from $1,075.00 to $1,175.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Costco Wholesale in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $1,016.00 price target for the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. 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. Finally, Evercore ISI increased 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 issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average 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.