Form 4: Costco Director Jeffrey Raikes Gifts Over 6,500 Shares to Non-Profit Foundation

Costco Wholesale Corp. Director Jeffrey S. Raikes reported a planned future disposition of 6,573 shares of common stock as a gift to a non-profit foundation.

Summary

• Jeffrey S. Raikes, a Director of Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), reported a transaction involving the company's common stock.
• The transaction, dated July 14, 2025, involved the disposition of 6,573 shares of common stock.
• The shares were disposed of as a gift (Transaction Code 'G') to a non-profit foundation.
• The price per share for this transaction was $0.
• Following this reported transaction, Mr. Raikes will beneficially own 20,241.936 shares of Costco common stock.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c).

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. While it's a disposition of shares, it's a gift to a non-profit, which is a philanthropic act. The transaction is also pre-planned under a 10b5-1 plan, indicating transparency and no immediate negative implications for the company's operations or financial health.

Positives

• The transaction represents a philanthropic act by a company director, potentially enhancing the company's association with charitable giving.
• The use of a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan indicates a pre-arranged and transparent transaction, reducing concerns about insider trading.

Negatives

• The disposition of shares by a director, even as a gift, reduces their direct ownership stake in the company.

Future Outlook

The filing details a planned future transaction (July 14, 2025) under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, indicating a pre-scheduled disposition of shares.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of an insider transaction and does not directly reflect broader industry trends or competitive dynamics within the retail or wholesale sector. It pertains to an individual director's personal shareholding activity.

Related Party Transactions

• Jeffrey S. Raikes, a Director of Costco, gifted 6,573 shares of common stock to a non-profit foundation. While the specific relationship between Mr. Raikes and the foundation is not detailed, such a transaction could be considered a related party dealing if Mr. Raikes has significant influence or control over the foundation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The disposition of shares by a director slightly reduces insider ownership, but the amount is small relative to the company's total shares outstanding and is a gift, not a sale for profit.
• Non-profit foundation: The foundation benefits directly from the receipt of 6,573 shares of Costco common stock.

Key Dates

Keywords

Costco, COST, Jeffrey Raikes, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Gift, Director Shareholding, Philanthropy, Rule 10b5-1