Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) – What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $245.56.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on WSM shares. Argus increased their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $275.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma in a report on Wednesday, August 26th. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $261.00 target price (up from $250.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Monday, August 24th. Finally, Evercore set a $245.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday, August 27th.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

NYSE WSM traded down $2.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $249.88. 1,808,408 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,173,836. Williams-Sonoma has a 52-week low of $165.51 and a 52-week high of $255.33. The company has a market capitalization of $29.43 billion, a PE ratio of 25.58, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.48. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $234.08 and its 200-day moving average is $216.94.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The specialty retailer reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.02. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.73% and a return on equity of 53.48%. The company had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.00 EPS. Williams-Sonoma’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma will post 9.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 16th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 16th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is currently 31.12%.

Insider Activity

In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $221.20, for a total value of $7,742,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 853,524 shares in the company, valued at $188,799,508.80. The trade was a 3.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Anne A. Finucane sold 794 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.14, for a total transaction of $200,199.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 9,404 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,371,124.56. This trade represents a 7.79% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 40,883 shares of company stock valued at $9,117,518 in the last ninety days. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Williams-Sonoma

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 622 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $113,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 11,262 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,992,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,203 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $584,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,972 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $926,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eastern Bank increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 10.6% during the 3rd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 752 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $171,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the company’s stock.

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma, Inc is an omnichannel specialty retailer focused on home furnishings, décor, kitchenware and related lifestyle products. The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home and Mark & Graham.

Its products include cookware, cutlery, appliances, tabletop goods, furniture, bedding, bath products, lighting, rugs, textiles, decorative accessories, gifts and personalized items.