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

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,170,000 shares, a decline of 17.0% from the March 15th total of 1,410,000 shares. Approximately 9.1% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 295,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Down 1.7 %

Shares of BBW stock traded down $0.59 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $34.72. The stock had a trading volume of 65,260 shares, compared to its average volume of 297,585. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 1-year low of $23.63 and a 1-year high of $48.23. The firm has a market cap of $466.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.23 and a beta of 1.04. The business's fifty day moving average is $37.66 and its 200-day moving average is $39.19.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $150.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $147.53 million. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.35% and a net margin of 10.58%. On average, analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 27th. This is a positive change from Build-A-Bear Workshop's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Build-A-Bear Workshop's payout ratio is presently 23.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BBW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $50.00 target price on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a research report on Friday, March 14th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BBW. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth about $53,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.1% during the fourth 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. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 3,357.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,460 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $166,000 after buying an additional 4,331 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.30% of the company's stock.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

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.