Victory Capital Management Inc. Purchases 453,214 Shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Key Points

• Victory Capital Management increased its stake in Williams‑Sonoma by 307.7% in Q3, buying an additional 453,214 shares to hold 600,526 shares (about 0.49% of the company) valued at roughly $117.37 million.
• Analysts are mixed: the stock carries an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $202.11, while individual targets range from Citigroup's $188 (neutral) to TD Cowen's $245 (buy).
• Insider activity included CEO Laura Alber selling 35,000 shares in mid‑January for about $7.26 million (a 4.16% reduction); insiders now own about 1.10% of the company.

Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 307.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 600,526 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 453,214 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.49% of Williams-Sonoma worth $117,373,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 111.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 144 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 130.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 180 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 220 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in Williams-Sonoma by 57.2% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 228 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on WSM. Citigroup lowered their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $202.00 to $188.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating and set a $245.00 price objective (up from $210.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. UBS Group set a $175.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Evercore set a $215.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $202.11.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WSM opened at $196.24 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $23.43 billion, a PE ratio of 21.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 1.64. The company's fifty day moving average is $204.75 and its 200-day moving average is $195.85. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 52 week low of $130.07 and a 52 week high of $222.00.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 16th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio is 29.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.39, for a total value of $7,258,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 806,537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $167,267,708.43. The trade was a 4.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 767 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.16, for a total value of $157,357.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 13,236 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,715,497.76. This represents a 5.48% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

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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