Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) CEO Laura Alber Sells 35,000 Shares

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.20, for a total value of $7,742,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 853,524 shares in the company, valued at $188,799,508.80. The trade was a 3.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

WSM opened at $224.08 on Friday. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $165.51 and a 12 month high of $254.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.47. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $232.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $209.84.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The specialty retailer reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.02. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 53.48% and a net margin of 14.73%.The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.00 earnings per share. Williams-Sonoma’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 9.51 EPS for the current year.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 16th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is 31.12%.

Key Headlines Impacting Williams-Sonoma

Here are the key news stories impacting Williams-Sonoma this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Rejuvenation, Williams-Sonoma’s lighting and home-furnishings brand, opened a new store in Dallas—its second Texas location. The expansion increases the brand’s physical retail presence and could support longer-term sales and customer awareness. Rejuvenation Opens New Store in Dallas
• Positive Sentiment: Williams-Sonoma declared a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, payable November 20 to shareholders of record October 16. The unchanged payout equates to $3.04 annually and a yield of roughly 1.4%, reinforcing shareholder returns and signaling continued cash-flow confidence. Williams-Sonoma Quarterly Dividend
• Neutral Sentiment: A recent investor-focused article has put the Williams-Sonoma story on the radar, potentially increasing attention around the stock. However, the headline alone does not identify a new earnings, guidance, or strategic catalyst. What Put the Williams-Sonoma Story on the Radar?
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares worth approximately $7.74 million, while CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 3,045 shares worth about $672,000. The sales reduce their individual holdings and can pressure sentiment, although both transactions were made under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans and do not necessarily indicate deteriorating operating expectations. CEO Insider Sale Filing

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Wednesday, August 26th. Argus boosted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $260.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $248.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $190.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Williams-Sonoma has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $245.56.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the second quarter worth $35,000. Ballast Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the first quarter worth $30,000. MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Williams-Sonoma Company Profile

Williams-Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on high-quality home furnishings, housewares and lifestyle products. The company sells furniture, bedding, bath goods, lighting, rugs, window treatments, home décor, kitchen equipment, cookware, tabletop products, outdoor furnishings and related accessories through e-commerce platforms, catalogs and retail stores.

The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Mark & Graham and Rejuvenation.