Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Shares Sold by Manning & Napier Advisors LLC

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 29.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,681 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 10,080 shares during the quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC's holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $3,902,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WSM. Kentucky Retirement Systems purchased a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,316,000. Center For Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Center For Asset Management LLC now owns 3,995 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $632,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 34.8% during the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 19,424 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $3,070,000 after purchasing an additional 5,015 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 8.3% in the first quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 21,958 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $3,472,000 after purchasing an additional 1,677 shares during the period. Finally, Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 114.7% in the first quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,599 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $889,000 after purchasing an additional 2,991 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:WSM traded down $0.74 during trading on Monday, reaching $158.10. 1,526,741 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,997,335. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $157.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $176.97. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12-month low of $125.33 and a 12-month high of $219.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.45 billion, a PE ratio of 17.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.48.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 22nd. The specialty retailer reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.09. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 52.79% and a net margin of 14.35%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.48 EPS. Williams-Sonoma's revenue was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 8.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 18th will be given a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 18th. Williams-Sonoma's payout ratio is 29.90%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WSM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $175.00 to $170.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $215.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Tuesday, June 17th. Wedbush reduced their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $190.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $201.00 to $174.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $195.00 to $185.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $176.75.

Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.78, for a total value of $4,973,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,018,374 shares of the company's stock, valued at $168,826,041.72. This trade represents a 2.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 36,312 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.79, for a total transaction of $6,020,166.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,388 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,690,666.52. This represents a 43.91% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 113,227 shares of company stock valued at $18,520,913. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Williams-Sonoma 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.