Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM Stock Holdings Reduced by L2 Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• L2 Asset Management cut its stake in Williams‑Sonoma by 49.7% in Q3, selling 10,621 shares and leaving 10,763 shares valued at about $2.10 million.
• CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares on Jan. 15 for roughly $7.26 million (about a 4.16% decline in her ownership); insiders now hold about 1.10% of the stock.
• Analysts have a consensus rating of Moderate Buy with an average target of $203.78 (targets range up to $245), while the stock trades near $182 with a $21.77 billion market cap and a PE of 20.06.

L2 Asset Management LLC reduced its position in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 49.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,763 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 10,621 shares during the period. L2 Asset Management LLC's holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $2,104,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 22.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,742 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,248,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the fourth quarter worth approximately $227,000. Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in Williams-Sonoma during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,644,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in Williams-Sonoma by 55.9% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 678 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $111,000 after acquiring an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey lifted its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 1.9% in the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 17,981 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $2,938,000 after acquiring an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 806,537 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $167,267,708.43. This represents a 4.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 767 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.16, for a total transaction of $157,357.72. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,236 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,715,497.76. The trade was a 5.48% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance

NYSE WSM opened at $182.37 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $204.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $195.15. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a twelve month low of $130.07 and a twelve month high of $222.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.77 billion, a PE ratio of 20.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.64.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th were issued 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 dividend yield of 1.4%. Williams-Sonoma's payout ratio is 29.04%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $188.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $220.00 price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Evercore set a $215.00 target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating and set a $245.00 target price (up from $210.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $203.78.

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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