Today: 1 July 2026
Costco stock (COST) ends Friday higher; what to watch before the next U.S. session
24 January 2026
1 min read

Costco stock (COST) ends Friday higher; what to watch before the next U.S. session

New York, Jan 24, 2026, 10:40 EST — Market closed.

  • Costco shares ended Friday at $983.25, gaining 0.7%.
  • Investors face a dividend record date on Jan. 30, followed by January sales figures set for release on Feb. 4.
  • A fresh headline risk emerges as a newly filed proposed class action targets “no preservatives” claims on rotisserie chicken.

Costco Wholesale Corp shares closed Friday 0.7% higher at $983.25, hovering just below the $1,000 threshold as U.S. markets wrap up the week and investors prepare for upcoming company events.

Wall Street being closed Saturday puts the spotlight on upcoming catalysts for Costco shares: January sales figures will drop on Feb. 4, followed by the fiscal second-quarter earnings call on March 5.

Costco’s quarterly dividend is also on the radar. According to an SEC filing, the board approved a cash dividend of $1.30 per share, set for payment on Feb. 13 to those holding shares as of Jan. 30.

Costco climbed on Friday despite a choppy session for U.S. stocks, as the S&P 500 held steady and the Dow slipped. Retailers showed mixed results: Amazon rose, but Walmart slipped slightly, according to market data.

The stock remains close to its recent highs but hasn’t yet reached its 52-week peak, according to market data.

Macro headlines continue to drive volatility in the sector. Earlier this week, U.S. stocks fell amid fresh tariff worries sparked by Washington’s tough talk, raising alarms over import prices and consumer spending.

Investors should note a separate risk: a proposed class action in federal court in California claims Costco misled customers by advertising Kirkland Signature seasoned rotisserie chicken as having “no preservatives,” despite containing certain additives. That’s according to a statement from the plaintiffs’ law firm. “Costco’s own ingredient list contradicts its marketing,” said Wesley M. Griffith, California managing partner at the Almeida Law Group. PR Newswire

Dividend timing often shapes short-term trades. Costco’s dividend schedule shows an ex-dividend date of Jan. 29, meaning investors need to hold the stock before then to qualify for the payment.

Traders will also be eyeing the February 4 sales update for insights on traffic, pricing, and demand for essentials following the holiday period.

Costco’s next major event is March 5, when the company will report fiscal second-quarter earnings and February sales figures.

Khadija Saeed is a financial markets reporter at TS2.tech, specializing in stocks, technology and emerging industries. She studied economics and finance at the London School of Economics and previously worked in market research before moving into financial journalism. Her coverage focuses on the companies, innovations and economic trends influencing global investors.

Stock Market Today

  • Bunzl PLC (LON:BNZL) Issues 20,187 Shares for Employee Schemes
    July 1, 2026, 6:26 AM EDT. Bunzl PLC issued and allotted 20,187 new ordinary shares of 32 1/7 pence each on the LSE Main Market, tied to employee share plans. The new shares are fungible with the company's existing stock. After this allotment, Bunzl has 324,289,178 shares in issue. The shares were admitted to trading via block admissions between June 1 and June 30, 2026. Bunzl said this is in line with The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 and keeps up its share issues for employee incentives.
Exxon stock price: XTO’s Eagle Ford sale push puts XOM in play ahead of key week
Previous Story

Exxon stock price: XTO’s Eagle Ford sale push puts XOM in play ahead of key week

AAPL stock jumps nearly 3% as Morgan Stanley flags iPhone 17 strength ahead of Apple earnings
Next Story

AAPL stock jumps nearly 3% as Morgan Stanley flags iPhone 17 strength ahead of Apple earnings

Go toTop