New York, Jan 17, 2026, 10:48 EST — Market closed.
- Costco shares closed Friday roughly 0.7% higher, at $963.61.
- Costco announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30, set for payment on Feb. 13, with the record date on Jan. 30.
- U.S. stock markets will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reopening on Tuesday.
Costco Wholesale shares rose roughly 0.7% to close at $963.61 on Friday, finishing $6.69 higher as U.S. markets prepared for the long weekend.
The timing is crucial as Wall Street shuts down for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, squeezing the available time to adjust positions before key dividend dates at month’s end and a packed schedule of macroeconomic news. 1
Rates have been quietly steering the market. On Friday, Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson described the current policy stance as “well positioned” heading into the Jan. 27-28 meeting. 2
Costco announced Thursday that its board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share. The payout is scheduled for Feb. 13 to shareholders on record as of Jan. 30. 3
The stock is poised to go ex-dividend on Jan. 29, meaning anyone purchasing after that date won’t get the next payment. The $1.30 quarterly dividend, based on Friday’s close, annualizes to $5.20, translating to about a 0.54% yield. 4
Friday saw the S&P 500 dip 0.06%, while the Dow dropped 0.17%. Walmart and Amazon ticked up modestly, highlighting the resilience of defensive retail amid the broader market decline. 5
Costco operates on a paid membership model, selling bulk groceries and general merchandise. Investors often view its stores as a reliable segment of U.S. retail. The company also runs e-commerce sites in multiple markets.
However, the dividend is modest compared to the share price, providing little buffer if markets move toward risk aversion. Retailers may still face margin squeezes from rising wages, freight costs, and currency fluctuations, even if customer traffic remains steady.
Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman cautioned Friday that the job market may worsen rapidly, highlighting risks like overvalued stock prices—a sign that rate-sensitive equities can adjust sharply. 6
As trading picks up again Tuesday, investors will be eyeing whether Costco shares can match the holiday-shortened market’s moves ahead of the Jan. 29 ex-dividend date and the Fed’s Jan. 27-28 meeting, which might shift rate forecasts and equity valuations.
