Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Invests $9.29 Million in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Key Points

• Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired 39,874 Williams-Sonoma shares worth approximately $9.29 million in the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 99.29% of the company.
• Williams-Sonoma reported quarterly earnings of $2.10 per share and revenue of $1.96 billion, exceeding analyst estimates; revenue increased 6.7% year over year.
• The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, equivalent to a 1.3% yield, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $244.44.

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 39,874 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $9,295,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of WSM. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp lifted its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. MidFirst Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Ballast Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC increased its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 229.4% in 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 Price Performance

WSM stock opened at $228.54 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $26.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $233.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $208.50. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $165.51 and a 1 year high of $254.89.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 26th. The specialty retailer reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.93 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.73% and a return on equity of 53.48%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.00 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 9.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 17th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on WSM. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $247.00 price objective (up from $190.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Thursday. KeyCorp reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $270.00 target price (up from $250.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday. Guggenheim reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $260.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Monday, August 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $244.44.

Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 522 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The stock was 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 $4,975,846.05. The trade was a 2.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 3,156 shares of company stock worth $738,699. Company 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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