Costco: A Dividend Stock With a $4.5 Billion Secret Weapon

Costco Wholesale (COST 3.19%) isn't exactly a high-yield stock, but what it lacks in yield, it makes up for in dividend growth. It has increased its payment for 19 years and counting, with the average annual dividend boost over the past decade sitting at a heady 12%. Those two stats are built on what is now a customer foundation worth $4.5-billion-plus annually. Here's what you need to know about Costco's secret weapon.Costco isn't like most retailersEvery retailer will tell you that customer satisfaction i ...