does costco stock have dividends? Quick guide

This guide answers “does costco stock have dividends” clearly: Costco pays regular quarterly cash dividends, occasional special dividends, and maintains a conservative payout policy. Read for recen...

2026-01-21 02:08:00

By Ravi Clark

Article rating

4.2

107 ratings

Bitget offers a variety of ways to buy or sell popular cryptocurrencies. Buy now!

A welcome pack worth 6200 USDT for new users! Sign up now!

Introduction

This article answers the question "does costco stock have dividends" and explains what investors need to know in plain language. If you want to know whether Costco (Nasdaq: COST) pays dividends, how often, recent amounts, yield and payout metrics, and how to reinvest or verify the latest declarations, this guide covers those topics step by step.

The phrase does costco stock have dividends appears throughout this guide so you can quickly find the exact answer and the supporting details that follow.

Overview

Costco Wholesale Corporation (ticker: COST) is a publicly traded retailer listed on the Nasdaq. For investors asking "does costco stock have dividends", the direct answer is yes: Costco pays regular quarterly cash dividends and has a history of periodic increases and occasional special one-time dividends. Dividend decisions are declared by the company’s Board of Directors and announced through Costco’s investor relations site and official press releases.

As of January 22, 2026, this guide uses investor relations disclosures and market-data summaries to show examples of recent dividend amounts, payment timing, yield and payout metrics. Those planning to act on this information should verify current declarations on Costco’s investor relations page or through trusted market data platforms.

Dividend policy and governance

Costco does not have a contractual obligation to pay dividends. The Board of Directors determines dividend policy and the timing and size of payments. That means the Board may increase, decrease, pause, or supplement regular dividends with special dividends depending on company performance and capital allocation priorities.

Key factors the Board typically considers when deciding dividends include:

Earnings and net income trends
Free cash flow and cash on hand
Capital investments and growth needs (stores, distribution, technology)
Share buyback plans and other uses of capital
Tax, legal, and regulatory considerations

Because these decisions are discretionary, asking "does costco stock have dividends" is best answered by checking the latest Board resolutions and press releases. Historically, Costco has favored returning capital to shareholders through modest regular dividends plus occasional special dividends when the Board views excess cash distribution as appropriate.

Frequency and form of payments

Costco typically pays dividends in cash on a quarterly basis. In addition to regular quarterly cash dividends, Costco has periodically paid special one-time cash dividends. Special dividends are distinct from the regular quarterly stream and are announced separately when declared by the Board.

When you consider the question "does costco stock have dividends", note that the standard form is cash paid to shareholders of record on the announced record date and distributed on the payable date.

Recent dividend amounts and example timeline

This section gives concrete, verifiable examples drawn from investor communications and market-data summaries. These examples illustrate how Costco’s dividends have been declared and paid.

April 16, 2025: The Board announced a quarterly dividend increase from $1.16 to $1.30 per share (annualized $5.20), as reported on Costco’s investor relations announcements. Payable and record dates were provided in the release.
Example payable dates for 2025 (illustrative of cadence used in recent years): May 16, 2025; August 15, 2025; November 14, 2025. Ex-dividend and record dates were typically set in early May, early August, and late October, respectively. Exact dates should be verified on the official press release for each declaration.
Notable past special dividends: Costco declared special cash dividends in 2012, in 2020, and a reported special payment in December 2023, according to investor relations summaries and historical dividend history pages. These payments were one-time distributions in addition to the regular quarterly dividends.

As a reminder of the question does costco stock have dividends: yes — the company has a track record of regular quarterly dividends plus occasional special dividends as determined by the Board.

Dividend yield and payout metrics

Understanding dividend yield and payout ratios helps put Costco’s distributions in context.

Dividend yield: Dividend yield equals the annualized dividend per share divided by the current share price. For Costco, recent data providers reported yields around 0.5%–0.6% in 2025. That reflects a relatively low cash yield compared with high-dividend income stocks, because Costco emphasizes growth and reinvestment alongside modest cash returns.
Payout ratio: The payout ratio measures dividends paid relative to earnings (usually net income or adjusted earnings). Costco’s payout ratio has generally been conservative; market-data summaries have placed Costco’s payout ratio in the mid-20% range in recent reporting periods. A mid-20% payout ratio indicates the company distributes a modest portion of earnings as dividends and retains earnings for reinvestment or other capital uses.

These metrics change with stock price, dividend declarations, and reported earnings. If you are checking does costco stock have dividends today and what yield that implies, compute annualized dividends divided by the current market price or consult up-to-date market-data pages.

Dividend growth and history

Costco’s dividend history shows many consecutive years of regular quarterly dividends and periodic increases. Over multi-year horizons, the company has generally increased its regular quarterly dividend amount several times, signaling a pattern of incremental growth in cash returns.

In addition to regular increases, Costco has on occasion distributed special dividends that materially boosted total cash returned in those years. Historical summaries on investor pages document these special distributions and the timing of increases.

When considering whether to expect dividends in future years, remember that past increases are informative but not guaranteed—dividend declarations remain at the Board’s discretion.

Dividend reinvestment and shareholder plans

Costco offers mechanisms for shareholders to reinvest cash dividends and to buy shares directly. Key features:

Computershare typically administers Costco’s investor-share services, including any Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP) or Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP). That allows eligible shareholders to reinvest cash dividends into additional Costco shares automatically.
DRIP and DSPP details—such as enrollment procedures, minimum initial investment, optional cash purchase amounts, and any administrative fees—are published on Costco’s investor relations pages and through the share transfer agent’s materials.

If you use a retail brokerage, many brokers offer automatic dividend reinvestment services (DRIPs) for stocks they hold. If you own shares on Bitget or any brokerage that supports U.S. equities, check that platform’s DRIP features and enrollment steps to reinvest Costco dividends automatically.

Key dividend dates and how they work

When answering "does costco stock have dividends", investors should also know how dividend dates determine eligibility and payment timing. The three core dates are:

Ex-dividend date: The market opens ex-dividend on this date, and buyers on or after this date are not eligible to receive the next declared dividend. To receive a dividend, you must own the shares before the ex-dividend date.
Record date: The company reviews its shareholder register on the record date to determine who is eligible to receive the dividend. If you are a registered shareholder on the record date, you will receive the dividend.
Payable date (payment date): The date the company actually pays the dividend to holders of record.

Costco announces these dates in each dividend press release. As the simple answer to does costco stock have dividends: follow the announcement to confirm the ex-dividend, record, and payable dates for any declared dividend.

Taxes and investor considerations

Cash dividends are generally taxable events for U.S. taxpayers and for many international investors depending on local rules. Points to consider:

Qualified vs. ordinary dividends: For U.S. federal tax purposes, some dividends may qualify for lower capital gains tax rates if holding-period requirements and other rules are met. Whether a dividend is "qualified" depends on IRS rules and the classification provided in company and broker statements.
Withholding for non-U.S. investors: Non-U.S. residents may be subject to withholding taxes on U.S.-source dividends. Tax treaty provisions can affect withholding rates.
Cost basis and reporting: Reinvested dividends through a DRIP change your cost basis and must be tracked for future capital gains calculations.

Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. This guide does not provide tax advice—investors should consult a qualified tax advisor for personalized guidance.

How to confirm current dividend information

To verify the latest answers to does costco stock have dividends and see precise amounts and dates, use these authoritative sources:

Costco investor relations: the dividend history page and the latest press releases post Board actions.
SEC filings: Company filings, including Form 8-K and annual reports, often include dividend declarations, capital return programs, and supporting discussion.
Market-data provider pages and brokerage platforms: these sources summarize declared dividends, ex-dates, yields, and payout ratios.

As of January 22, 2026, investors are advised to check Costco’s official investor relations releases for the most accurate and current declarations. Confirming on the company’s investor relations page ensures you rely on the primary source for dividend announcements.

If you are a Bitget user or considering trading or tracking COST on Bitget, use Bitget’s market pages and investor tools for consolidated dividend summaries; always cross-check with Costco’s official releases.

Historical examples and notable special dividends

A concise list of notable special dividend instances (as reported by company dividend history pages and investor summaries):

2012: Costco declared a special cash dividend as part of capital return activity in that fiscal year.
2020: During the period when many companies reacted to extraordinary market conditions, Costco declared a special dividend that year as a one-time distribution.
December 2023: Investor relations materials and dividend history pages report an additional special cash distribution in late 2023.

Special dividends differ from regular quarterly payments in that they are not recurring by definition. They are typically used to distribute excess cash when the Board deems it appropriate.

Note: For exact amounts and per-share values of these historical special dividends, consult Costco’s historical dividend tables on the investor relations site or the company’s press-release archive.

Implications for investors

When evaluating "does costco stock have dividends" alongside investment decisions, consider these factual, non-prescriptive points:

Yield orientation: Costco’s dividend yield has historically been low relative to high-yield income stocks. Investors seeking high current income may find Costco’s yield modest.
Total return focus: Costco often emphasizes business growth, member expansion, and capital allocation that includes reinvestment and share repurchases. For many shareholders, total return (share price appreciation plus dividends and buybacks) matters more than dividend yield alone.
Dividend consistency: Costco’s record of regular quarterly dividends and periodic increases suggests a disciplined approach to returning cash, with occasional special dividends when excess capital is available.
Risk and diversification: Dividends alone do not eliminate market risk. Investors should consider company fundamentals, sector exposure, and portfolio diversification when evaluating any single stock.

This section is informational; it is not investment advice.

Market-cap and trading context (timely figures)

As of January 22, 2026, market-data summaries from exchange and financial-data providers reported Costco’s market capitalization and trading liquidity as follows:

Market capitalization: approximately $260 billion (rounded), reflecting share price and shares outstanding as reported by market-data platforms.
Average daily trading volume: approximately 3.5 million shares, based on recent trading-window averages reported by market-data aggregators.

These numbers change daily with market price movements and share count adjustments. Use up-to-date market-data tools or your trading platform—such as Bitget’s market summaries—for current figures when assessing liquidity and market size.

Security, compliance, and corporate governance notes

Dividend declarations and payments are subject to the company’s compliance with applicable laws and internal corporate governance. Key points:

The Board must approve dividends in accordance with corporate bylaws and applicable state corporate law.
Dividend payments can be delayed or altered if financial or legal constraints apply.
Companies disclose dividend changes and material decisions in press releases and required regulatory filings.

Investors seeking authoritative confirmation of any dividend action should refer to the company’s official investor relations release or the relevant SEC filing.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Does Costco pay dividends regularly? A: Yes. Costco pays regular quarterly cash dividends and has historically increased its quarterly dividend periodically. It has also paid special one-time dividends in some years.

Q: Is Costco’s dividend yield high? A: No. Costco’s yield has been relatively low (around 0.5%–0.6% in 2025) compared with typical high-yield income stocks.

Q: Are dividends guaranteed? A: No. Dividends are declared by the Board and are discretionary. Past dividends are not a guarantee of future payments.

Q: How can I reinvest Costco dividends? A: Through a broker’s DRIP service or via the company’s shareholder services/DRIP administered by the transfer agent (typically Computershare). Check the investor relations pages for enrollment details.

Q: Where can I confirm the next ex-dividend date? A: Check Costco’s most recent dividend press release on its investor relations site or consult reliable market-data pages and your brokerage platform.

References and data sources

This guide was compiled primarily from Costco’s investor relations dividend history and press releases, supplemented by market-data summaries and brokerage pages. For time-sensitive figures and exact dates, consult the following sources directly (searchable by name):

Costco Investor Relations — Dividend History and press releases (investor.costco.com) — primary source for declarations and historical tables.
Market-data and brokerage summaries (e.g., Nasdaq, market-data providers) for yield, market-cap and volume snapshots.
Press reports and financial-news summaries for coverage of special dividends and Board announcements.

As of January 22, 2026, the example amounts and dates cited earlier were drawn from the most recent investor relations statements and market-data summaries available at that time.

Practical next steps

If your question is "does costco stock have dividends" and you want the latest declaration, check Costco’s investor relations press release page for the current fiscal year.
To track dividends on a trading platform, add COST to your watchlist on Bitget and review the platform’s dividend and corporate-action summaries.
For tax treatment or portfolio implications of dividend income, consult a licensed tax professional or financial advisor.

Further exploration of dividend history, yield calculations, and the DRIP enrollment process will help you apply this information to your holdings and goals.

Final notes and call to action

Does costco stock have dividends? Yes. Costco pays regular quarterly cash dividends and occasionally pays special one-time dividends. Dividend amounts, ex-dates and payable dates are set by the Board and announced through official investor relations releases.

To stay informed, check Costco’s investor relations site for the primary-source announcements and use Bitget’s market tools to monitor COST in your portfolio. For any tax questions or personalized decisions, seek professional advice.

Explore more on dividend mechanics, DRIP options, and how to monitor corporate announcements with Bitget’s investor tools and learning resources.

The content above has been sourced from the internet and generated using AI. For high-quality content, please visit Bitget Academy.