Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,410,000 shares, an increase of 20.5% from the March 31st total of 1,170,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 293,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.8 days. Currently, 11.5% of the company's shares are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on BBW. DA Davidson restated a "buy" rating and set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a report on Friday, March 14th. StockNews.com downgraded Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 14.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 431,708 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $19,876,000 after purchasing an additional 55,328 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 291,990 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $13,443,000 after purchasing an additional 61,111 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 77.5% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 180,045 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $8,289,000 after acquiring an additional 78,629 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 269.9% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 137,922 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $6,350,000 after purchasing an additional 100,633 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 396.5% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 129,801 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $5,976,000 after buying an additional 103,656 shares during the period. 79.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

NYSE BBW traded up $0.86 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $36.52. 213,763 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 267,383. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.19. The company has a market cap of $480.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.71 and a beta of 1.04. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 1 year low of $23.63 and a 1 year high of $48.23.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. The company had revenue of $150.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.53 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 27th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This is an increase from Build-A-Bear Workshop's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 27th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dividend payout ratio is 23.10%.

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.

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