Bank of Nova Scotia Makes New $15.32 Million Investment in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Key Points

• Bank of Nova Scotia acquired 65,718 Williams-Sonoma shares worth approximately $15.32 million during the second quarter, giving it a 0.06% stake. Institutional investors collectively own 99.29% of the company.
• Williams-Sonoma shares opened at $238.05, near the analyst consensus price target of $234.11. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with one Strong Buy, eight Buy and nine Hold ratings.
• The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, equal to a $3.04 annualized dividend and a 1.3% yield. Insiders have sold 18,156 shares worth approximately $3.74 million over the past 90 days.

Bank of Nova Scotia bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 65,718 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $15,319,000. Bank of Nova Scotia owned 0.06% of Williams-Sonoma as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of WSM. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp lifted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 51.5% during the fourth quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 147 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Ballast Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC lifted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 229.4% during the first quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC now owns 168 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance

Shares of WSM opened at $238.05 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day moving average is $232.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $207.87. The company has a market capitalization of $28.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.50. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $165.51 and a fifty-two week high of $254.89.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 21st. Investors of record on Friday, July 17th were issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 17th. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WSM has been the topic of several analyst reports. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Friday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley set a $210.00 price objective on Williams-Sonoma and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Piper Sandler began coverage on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Monday, July 27th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $253.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $261.00 target price (up from $230.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $234.11.

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 522 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.39, for a total transaction of $128,615.58. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,195 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,975,846.05. This trade represents a 2.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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, CEO Laura Alber sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $184,704,800. This trade represents a 1.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 18,156 shares of company stock worth $3,738,699. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Profile

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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