12 Best Retail Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

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3. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 91

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is the leading warehouse-club retailer, built on a membership model that combines low-margin, high-volume retail sales with recurring, high-margin membership fees and strong customer loyalty.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) continues to deliver steady results and consistent traffic, proving its ability to grow in various economic conditions. In its most recent quarter, revenue increased 8% from the prior year, while comparable sales rose 5.7% (or 8% when excluding fuel prices and currency effects). E-commerce remained a key growth driver, climbing 14.8% during the period. Operating income also improved, and earnings per share grew to $4.28 from $3.78 a year earlier, reflecting both sales growth and cost control. Membership fee income, a critical part of its model, rose 10% to about $1.24 billion.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)’s dividend history makes it a reliable investment option for income investors. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.55%, as of September 22. It has raised its payouts for 21 years in a row.

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