New York, Jan 14, 2026, 12:12 EST — Regular session
- Costco shares ticked up roughly 0.3% during midday trading
- A senior executive sold 1,500 shares, according to an SEC filing
- Investors are eyeing Thursday’s annual meeting alongside the upcoming monthly sales update
Shares of Costco Wholesale Corp ticked higher Wednesday following a regulatory filing revealing a senior executive sold some stock. The move comes as investors weigh upcoming near-term catalysts for the company.
The shift was slight, but timing is key. Costco’s shares tend to react sharply to subtle signs about demand and membership trends. In the coming weeks, two key data releases could change the outlook entirely.
Costco, the membership-driven warehouse giant, ranks among the market’s most popular consumer stocks. Investors closely watch its monthly sales figures, looking for clues on renewal rates and foot traffic—data that’s tougher to gauge from quarterly earnings alone.
Costco shares climbed 0.3% to $945.10 in midday trading. On Wednesday, the stock has fluctuated between $935.98 and $955.60.
A filing dated Jan. 12 revealed that Senior Executive Vice President Russell D. Miller sold 1,500 shares at $916.32 apiece on Jan. 9. Afterward, he reported holding 8,240 shares indirectly via a family trust. (SEC Form 4 filing)
Retail stocks showed a mixed performance. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF slipped roughly 0.6%. Walmart dropped 0.7%, contrasting with Target, which gained 0.2% by midday.
Costco’s annual meeting is set for Thursday, with shareholders voting via webcast. The agenda includes electing directors, ratifying the auditor, and an advisory vote on executive compensation, among other matters. (Costco 2026 proxy statement)
The proxy statement features a shareholder proposal demanding a “greenwashing risk audit,” urging the board to evaluate financial risks linked to the company’s climate pledges. According to the filing, Costco’s board advised shareholders to reject the proposal.
Next up is the January sales report, set for Feb. 4 at 1:15 a.m. Pacific time, per Costco’s investor relations calendar. (Costco events calendar)
Insider-trading disclosures often come across as routine and don’t necessarily point to shifts in business trends. The real concern for Costco lies in the possibility that any slowdown in comparable sales or membership growth emerges in the upcoming sales report, especially with the stock hovering near the top of its recent trading range.
Thursday’s annual meeting is the market’s next key checkpoint, followed by the sales update on February 4 a few weeks after.
