New York, January 28, 2026, 12:57 PM EST — Regular session
- Costco shares dipped during midday trading ahead of the stock’s ex-dividend date coming up later this week.
- Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and major tech earnings, the broader market hovered close to record highs.
- Traders are eyeing Costco’s upcoming January sales update, set for Feb. 4.
Shares of Costco Wholesale Corp slipped 1.2% to $958.89 by 12:57 p.m. EST, after hitting a low of $956.48 earlier in the session. The stock’s range for Wednesday has been $956.48 to $969.41.
Costco’s stock is pulling back ahead of its ex-dividend date on Jan. 30, which means anyone buying after won’t get the upcoming quarterly payout. Dividend Channel noted the shares will go ex-dividend for a $1.30 quarterly dividend set to be paid Feb. 13, and they expect the stock to open roughly 0.13% lower on that day, assuming all else stays constant. Earlier this month, Costco’s board announced the $1.30 dividend, payable Feb. 13 to shareholders of record at the close on Jan. 30. (Nasdaq)
The broader market was unsettled. The S&P 500 hit 7,000 briefly—its first time—but then pulled back as investors held their breath ahead of the Fed’s rate announcement and a wave of earnings from the “Magnificent Seven” after hours. “These big round numbers can be difficult psychological tests for the market,” noted Jeff Buchbinder, chief equity strategist at LPL Financial. (Reuters)
Retail stocks slipped as well. Walmart edged down 0.4%, Target dropped roughly 1.9%, and Amazon slid 0.9% in midday trading.
An ex-dividend date often triggers mechanical pressure, as a stock usually drops to account for cash leaving the company. But in reality, this shift can be overshadowed by routine trading, positioning, and wider market movements.
The broader market is pulling much of the weight this week. With rates and risk appetite fluctuating, high-multiple consumer stocks get jostled, even when company news is minimal.
Costco’s next key date is its January sales report, set for Feb. 4 at 1:15 p.m. PT, per the company’s events calendar. (Costco)
Costco’s fiscal second-quarter earnings call is scheduled for March 5 at 2 p.m. PT. Investors will be tuning in. (Costco)
But bulls banking on the dividend and the company’s steady track record face a risk: the Fed can flip sentiment in an instant. Any hawkish shift or a spike in volatility around megacap earnings could hit defensive retail stocks just as quickly as it lifts them.
Traders are set to focus on the Fed statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks due Wednesday, followed by Friday’s ex-dividend action. After that, eyes turn to Costco’s Jan. 30 record date and the sales update on Feb. 4.
