Hansen & Associates Financial Group Inc. Invests $1.44 Million in Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST)

Hansen & Associates Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ:COST) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,534 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,442,000. Costco Wholesale accounts for approximately 0.7% of Hansen & Associates Financial Group Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in COST. Integris Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Integris Wealth Management LLC now owns 663 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $607,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. AA Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. AA Financial Advisors LLC now owns 874 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $801,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Heritage Financial Services LLC grew its stake in Costco Wholesale by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Heritage Financial Services LLC now owns 1,475 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,351,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Quantum Financial Planning Services Inc. bought a new stake in Costco Wholesale during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,998,000. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 470,447 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $430,930,000 after purchasing an additional 88,308 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.48% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on COST shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $935.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Citigroup upped their target price on Costco Wholesale from $800.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note 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 company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $990.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $975.00 to $1,090.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,013.59.

Costco Wholesale Stock Up 0.1 %

NASDAQ COST opened at $979.88 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Co. has a 1 year low of $691.50 and a 1 year high of $1,008.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $434.97 billion, a PE ratio of 57.54, a PEG ratio of 5.75 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The business’s 50-day moving average is $954.51 and its 200 day moving average is $907.45.

Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend

The firm 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 dividend of $1.16 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.47%. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.25%.

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.