Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Shares Gap Up After Earnings Beat

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) gapped up before the market opened on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $35.50, but opened at $40.98. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares last traded at $37.26, with a volume of 100,526 shares trading hands.

The specialty retailer reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.35%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.27%. This is a positive change from Build-A-Bear Workshop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Northland Securities increased their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 68,859 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.06, for a total value of $3,171,645.54. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 347,820 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,020,589.20. This trade represents a 16.53 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Vojin Todorovic sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.08, for a total transaction of $200,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 70,695 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,833,455.60. This trade represents a 6.61 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 164,166 shares of company stock worth $7,113,481 in the last quarter. Insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BBW. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 346.6% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,295 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares during the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.1% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,480 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 494.7% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,689 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 1,405 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $40.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.21. The company has a market cap of $521.74 million, a PE ratio of 10.32 and a beta of 1.50.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Company Profile

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.