In the third quarter, IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. reduced its position in Costco by 28.3%, selling 2,053 shares and ending the period with 5,194 shares valued at approximately $4.8 million. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake by 12.3%, adding 2,172 shares to reach 19,825 shares worth $18.2 million. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC bought an additional 130 shares, lifting its holding to 1,123 shares, while Calton & Associates Inc. and Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. initiated new positions valued at $558,000 and $225,000 respectively. Institutional ownership now stands at 68.48% of outstanding shares.

For the quarter ended November 30, Costco reported revenue of $67.31 billion, an 8.3% year-over-year increase, and delivered earnings per share of $4.34, beating consensus by $0.07. The company’s net margin was 2.96% and return on equity reached 29.35%. At the same time, Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, translating to a $5.20 annualized distribution and a 27.85% payout ratio, reaffirming its commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

During fiscal 2025, paid memberships climbed to approximately 81 million households with total cardholders nearing 145 million, and renewal rates held near 90% globally. Membership fee revenue rose to $5.3 billion, driven by higher-tier subscriptions and a fee increase implemented in late 2024. Looking ahead, management has flagged potential catalysts, including accelerated warehouse openings—27 new locations in 2025—and ongoing investments in e-commerce and warehouse automation, which could support a recovery in share performance and prompt consideration of a stock split in 2026 to enhance accessibility for smaller investors.