Independent Advisor Alliance reduced its position in Costco Wholesale by 2.1% during the third quarter, selling 686 shares and ending the period with 32,229 shares valued at approximately 29.8 million. Costco now represents 0.8% of the fund’s assets, ranking as its twentieth largest holding. Several other institutions also modified their stakes: Peterson Wealth Services added 72 shares to reach 13,616 shares (13.5 million value), Fishman Jay A Ltd. MI bought 575 shares to total 16,888 shares (16.7 million), Silver Oak Securities increased its stake by 49.3% to 3,780 shares (3.5 million), Permanent Capital Management initiated a new position worth 874,000, and Wealthspire Advisors acquired 312 shares to reach 15,799 shares (15.6 million). Overall, hedge funds and institutional investors account for 68.48% of Costco’s outstanding stock.

In its most recent quarterly report, Costco delivered earnings per share of 4.34, exceeding consensus estimates by 0.07, and generated revenue of 67.31 billion, surpassing forecasts by 0.28 billion. Compared to the prior year period, revenue rose 8.3% and EPS improved from 4.04. The company reported a net margin of 2.96% and a return on equity of 29.35%. Analysts now project full-year EPS of 18.03.

Costco declared a quarterly dividend of 1.30 per share, payable February 13 to shareholders of record on January 30. The annualized payout totals 5.20 with a yield of 0.6% and a payout ratio of 27.85%. This marks the fifteenth consecutive year of incremental dividend increases, underscoring management’s commitment to capital return alongside ongoing investments in new warehouse openings and e-commerce expansion.

Over the past quarter, executive vice presidents sold a combined 2,058 shares—558 by Javier Polit and 1,500 by Russell D. Miller—reducing their individual holdings by 5.2% and 15.4%, respectively. Insider sales totaled 9,315 shares valued at 8.55 million. On the sell-side, 21 analysts maintain buy ratings on Costco, twelve rate it a hold and one recommends sell, yielding a consensus moderate-buy assessment with an average price target near 996.