NEW YORK, Jan 14, 2026, 18:13 EST — After-hours trading
- Costco shares closed Wednesday up almost 1%, finishing at $950.98.
- A Form 4 revealed Senior EVP Russ Miller offloaded 1,500 shares, while a Form 144 filed Wednesday indicated EVP James Klauer plans to sell 1,500 shares.
- Thursday’s annual meeting vote is under close watch, especially the shareholder proposal addressing “greenwashing” concerns.
Costco Wholesale shares ended Wednesday roughly 1% higher, despite new regulatory filings revealing insider sales and a pending proposed sale.
The disclosures come just ahead of Costco’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, a key event that often sparks trading interest when governance issues are up for a vote and investors seek clues on management’s stance.
This meeting takes on added importance with a shareholder vote on a proposal linked to the company’s climate commitments—an area fraught with reputational risks, legal challenges, and growing investor scrutiny.
A Form 4 submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that Senior Executive Vice President Russ Miller sold 1,500 Costco shares on Jan. 9, fetching $916.32 each. The filing also noted Miller’s indirect holdings via a family trust following the sale. (SEC)
A separate Form 144 notice filed Wednesday revealed that Executive Vice President James Klauer intends to sell 1,500 shares worth roughly $1.41 million. Fidelity Brokerage Services is named as the broker, with Nasdaq as the trading venue. The filing noted these shares come from restricted stock set to vest in 2025.
Form 4 filings report trades made by corporate insiders once they’ve occurred. Form 144, on the other hand, signals an intended sale under SEC Rule 144—but filing one doesn’t ensure the stock will actually be sold.
Costco announced in its proxy materials that the annual meeting is set for 2:00 p.m. Pacific time on Jan. 15 and will be conducted via live webcast. Shareholders are slated to vote on electing 10 directors, ratifying KPMG as the auditor for fiscal 2026, and casting an advisory vote on executive compensation. They will also consider a shareholder proposal described by the company as a “greenwashing risk audit.” (SEC)
Insider sales happen frequently at big companies and often stem from tax needs, diversification efforts, or predetermined trading plans—not necessarily a negative outlook on the company. Plus, the shareholder proposal is non-binding, and unless voting margins are tight, annual meeting results tend to lose significance quickly.
Costco plans to release its January sales figures on Feb. 4, with the fiscal second-quarter earnings call set for March 5. Both events will take place after U.S. market hours. (Costco Investor Relations)
