Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Shares Acquired by Albion Financial Group UT

Albion Financial Group UT increased its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) by 2.8% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 11,802 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 318 shares during the period. Albion Financial Group UT’s holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $2,185,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WSM. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 89.1% in the second quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 1,781 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $503,000 after purchasing an additional 839 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 675.8% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 56,488 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $15,950,000 after buying an additional 49,207 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 25.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 43,604 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $12,312,000 after buying an additional 8,850 shares during the period. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter worth $253,000. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 2nd quarter worth $2,389,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In other news, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 3,160 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.39, for a total transaction of $560,552.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,228,767.32. This represents a 6.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.49, for a total transaction of $5,219,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 990,956 shares in the company, valued at $129,309,848.44. The trade was a 3.88 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance

Shares of WSM stock opened at $209.73 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.81, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 1.79. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a one year low of $95.76 and a one year high of $210.91. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $180.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $155.99.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 17th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.09%. Williams-Sonoma’s payout ratio is 26.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WSM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $170.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Loop Capital lifted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Citigroup cut their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $140.00 to $134.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group boosted their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Williams-Sonoma currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $163.16.

Williams-Sonoma Company Profile

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.