Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Eighteen analysts rate Williams-Sonoma “Moderate Buy,” with ten buy ratings and eight holds. The average 12-month price target is $245.56, with recent targets ranging from $240 to $275.
• The company exceeded quarterly expectations: Williams-Sonoma reported $2.10 in adjusted EPS versus the $2.08 consensus and revenue of $1.96 billion versus $1.93 billion expected. Revenue increased 6.7% year over year.
• Institutional ownership remains substantial: Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the stock, while an executive recently sold 1,000 shares worth $250,000 under a pre-arranged trading plan.

Shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eighteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $245.5556.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Friday, August 14th. Telsey Advisory Group set a $260.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Weiss Ratings raised Williams-Sonoma from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Monday, August 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $275.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma in a report on Wednesday, August 26th.

Insider Transactions at Williams-Sonoma

In other Williams-Sonoma news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,717 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,179,250. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WSM. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 51.5% during the fourth quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 147 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Florida Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,534 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $453,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 622 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $113,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 11,262 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,992,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,203 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $584,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $229.05 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $232.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $209.51. Williams-Sonoma has a 12 month low of $165.51 and a 12 month high of $254.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.98 billion, a PE ratio of 23.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.47.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The specialty retailer reported $2.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.02. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.73% and a return on equity of 53.48%. The company had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.00 EPS. Williams-Sonoma's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma will post 9.51 EPS for the current year.

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on high-quality home furnishings, housewares and lifestyle products. The company sells furniture, bedding, bath goods, lighting, rugs, window treatments, home décor, kitchen equipment, cookware, tabletop products, outdoor furnishings and related accessories through e-commerce platforms, catalogs and retail stores.

The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Mark & Graham and Rejuvenation.

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