** Costco Wholesale's COST.O shares down 3.9% to $916.19, a six-month low, early Thurs after grocery retailer reported decelerating comparable sales for June

** COST's comps rose 8.8% yr/yr in June vs 12.5% increase in May

** Core comps, excluding gas prices and FX, rose 7% yr/yr in June compared to 8% gain co saw in May

** Reacting to report, JP Morgan trimmed its PT to $1,100 from $1,110

** D.A. Davidson, which maintained 'neutral' rating, said in a note decelerated comps were not surprising given rising gas prices and as tax refunds are likely spent at this point

** COST shares now up ~6% YTD, roughly in line with advance in S&P 500 Consumer Staples .SPLRCS. Shares about 16% below record intraday high of $1,096.50 achieved in May

** Stock recently traded at 43x expected forward earnings, slightly above 5-yr avg forward PE of 42, per LSEG data

** Avg rating of 39 analysts is "buy"; median PT $1,100