6,000 Shares in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM Bought by Chase Investment Counsel Corp

Key Points

• Chase Investment Counsel acquired 6,000 Williams-Sonoma shares in the second quarter, valued at approximately $1.4 million. Institutional investors collectively own 99.29% of the company.
• Williams-Sonoma reported quarterly EPS of $1.93, beating estimates of $1.80, while revenue rose 4.4% year over year to $1.81 billion. Analysts have a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $231.88.
• Company insiders sold 18,156 shares worth roughly $3.74 million over the past three months, while Williams-Sonoma declared a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, representing a 1.3% yield.

Chase Investment Counsel Corp acquired a new position in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 6,000 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $1,398,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp boosted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 51.5% during the 4th quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 147 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 1,381 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Arjuna Capital increased its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Arjuna Capital now owns 3,564 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $636,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,534 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $453,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,357 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 15,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $3,000,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 923,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $184,704,800. This represents a 1.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 1,112 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.49, for a total value of $254,080.88. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 21,717 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,962,117.33. This trade represents a 4.87% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 18,156 shares of company stock valued at $3,738,699. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Friday, June 12th. They set a "buy" rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Seaport Research Partners reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $248.00 price target (up from $200.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $231.88.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Down 0.1%

Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $241.33 on Monday. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 52 week low of $165.51 and a 52 week high of $254.89. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $229.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $206.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.42 billion, a PE ratio of 27.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.50.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 21st. The specialty retailer reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.13. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 13.81% and a return on equity of 53.29%. The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 9.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 17th will be given a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 17th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio is currently 34.04%.

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams‑Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multi‑brand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higher‑end interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.

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