Costco (COST) Wholesale Corporation Declares $30 Special Cash Dividend and Reauthorizes Stock Repurchase Program

Costco Wholesale Corp. declared a special cash dividend of $30 per share, payable Dec. 4 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 24, with a total payout of roughly $13.3 billion. The board also reauthorized the company's stock repurchase program. The move returns a substantial chunk of cash to investors and signals confidence in Costco's balance sheet. Investors will watch whether the special dividend and buyback authorization lift the shares and whether the capital return presages slower reinvestment or a more durable payout policy.