OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp Makes New Investment in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Key Points

• OMERS Administration Corp. initiated a Williams-Sonoma position by purchasing 11,243 shares valued at approximately $2.62 million. Institutional investors collectively own 99.29% of the company, including major new stakes from BlackRock and Norges Bank.
• Williams-Sonoma’s stock opened at $234.74, near the analyst consensus price target of $234.11. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with recent price targets ranging from $230 to $260.
• The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, equivalent to an annualized $3.04 dividend and a 1.3% yield. Insider ownership is 1.10%, while insiders have sold 3,156 shares worth about $738,699 over the past 90 days.

OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 11,243 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $2,621,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,656,062,000. Aristotle Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 22.0% during the first quarter. Aristotle Capital Management LLC now owns 11,140,471 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,031,242,000 after acquiring an additional 2,009,032 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the fourth quarter worth approximately $316,920,000. Boston Partners acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 3rd quarter valued at $254,778,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 2nd quarter valued at $188,603,000. 99.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $234.74 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $232.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $208.00. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $165.51 and a 12 month high of $254.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.64 billion, a PE ratio of 26.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.50.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on WSM. Evercore set a $240.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Argus set a $230.00 price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $192.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, August 14th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $248.00 target price (up from $200.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group increased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $225.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $234.11.

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In other news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 522 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.39, for a total value of $128,615.58. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,195 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,975,846.05. The trade was a 2.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 3,156 shares of company stock valued at $738,699. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Williams-Sonoma Company 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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