Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Stock Price Up 5.8% – Should You Buy?

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) shares rose 5.8% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $39.27 and last traded at $39.32. Approximately 53,502 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 280,747 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.17.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BBW has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Northland Securities increased their price target on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a report on Friday, March 14th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $39.18 and its 200 day moving average is $38.79. The firm has a market cap of $530.61 million, a P/E ratio of 10.49 and a beta of 1.50.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.35% and a net margin of 10.58%. The firm had revenue of $150.45 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $147.53 million. As a group, analysts expect that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.71 EPS for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. This is an increase from Build-A-Bear Workshop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 27th. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.10%.

Insider Transactions at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In related news, insider J. Christopher Hurt sold 12,635 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.53, for a total value of $499,461.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 49,386 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,952,228.58. This trade represents a 20.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 68,859 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.06, for a total transaction 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 161,666 shares of company stock valued at $7,010,081 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the fourth quarter worth about $53,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 346.6% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,295 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.1% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,480 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 494.7% during the fourth 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 period. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.