Costco hikes dividend, launches new $4B buyback

• Costco (NASDAQ:COST) is hiking its quarterly dividend by 13% ($0.045/share) to $0.40/share. That's good for a 1.1% yield at current levels. The next dividend is payable on May 15 to shareholders on record as of the May 1 close.
• The bulk goods retailer is also launching a new $4B buyback that replaces its existing $4B authorization (had $2.5B remaining). The buyback expires in April 2019, and is good for repurchasing 6% of shares at current levels.
• COST +0.5% AH to $145.25.