Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Shares Sold by Victory Capital Management Inc.

Key Points

• Victory Capital Management Inc. decreased its stake in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. by 17.4%, holding approximately 50,307 shares valued at $7.95 million after selling 10,567 shares during the first quarter.
• Williams-Sonoma recently reported $1.85 EPS, surpassing analysts' expectations, with a revenue of $1.73 billion, reflecting a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.66, translating to an annualized yield of 1.45% with a payout ratio of 29.90%.

Victory Capital Management Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 17.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 50,307 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 10,567 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $7,954,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 123.6% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.33, for a total transaction of $4,929,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 996,927 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $163,825,013.91. This represents a 2.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.96, for a total transaction of $675,840.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 34,388 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,810,196.48. This trade represents a 10.42% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 72,000 shares of company stock worth $11,906,700. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on WSM shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $215.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, June 17th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $170.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. Baird R W upgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $175.00 to $170.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $178.41.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WSM traded up $1.26 during trading on Friday, hitting $181.80. 818,197 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,202,717. The company has a market cap of $22.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.59, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.45. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $125.33 and a 1 year high of $219.98. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $165.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $173.85.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 22nd. The specialty retailer reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.35% and a return on equity of 52.79%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.48 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 8.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 18th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.45%. Williams-Sonoma's payout ratio is currently 29.90%.

Williams-Sonoma Company Profile

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.