Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM – Free Report) had its price objective raised by Wells Fargo & Company from $190.00 to $240.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an equal weight rating on the specialty retailer’s stock.
Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Citigroup cut their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $208.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Barclays set a $190.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. Piper Sandler started coverage on Williams-Sonoma in a report on Monday, July 27th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $253.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $261.00 price objective (up from $230.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $227.88.
Check Out Our Latest Report on WSM
Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance
Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 21st. The specialty retailer reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 13.81% and a return on equity of 53.29%. Williams-Sonoma’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.85 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma will post 9.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 17th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 17th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonoma’s payout ratio is 34.04%.
Insider Activity
In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $3,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 923,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $184,704,800. This trade represents a 1.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 522 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.39, for a total value of $128,615.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,975,846.05. This represents a 2.52% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 18,156 shares of company stock worth $3,738,699 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the second quarter worth $2,656,062,000. Aristotle Capital Management LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 22.0% during the first quarter. Aristotle Capital Management LLC now owns 11,140,471 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $2,031,242,000 after acquiring an additional 2,009,032 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.5% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,139,477 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,199,961,000 after acquiring an additional 147,780 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 9.2% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,664,580 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $485,833,000 after acquiring an additional 224,128 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 7.3% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,919,466 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $342,797,000 after acquiring an additional 130,940 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the company’s stock.
Key Stories Impacting Williams-Sonoma
Here are the key news stories impacting Williams-Sonoma this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Telsey raises price target: Telsey Advisory Group increased its target from $225 to $255 and maintained an “outperform” rating, implying additional upside and reflecting confidence in Williams-Sonoma’s earnings outlook. Telsey price target article
- Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs issues a Buy rating: The bullish recommendation provides additional institutional support for WSM and suggests analysts see longer-term value in the specialty home-furnishings retailer. Goldman Sachs Buy article
- Positive Sentiment: New 12-month high: Williams-Sonoma recently reached a fresh yearly high following an analyst upgrade, indicating strong momentum and investor interest. Williams-Sonoma 12-month high article
- Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst views: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $240 but assigned a “hold” rating, contrasting with Telsey and Goldman Sachs and signaling limited conviction at current valuation levels. Wells Fargo price target article
- Neutral Sentiment: Macro data remains a focus: Investors are watching the CPI report for signals on inflation, interest rates and household purchasing power—factors that could affect demand for discretionary home goods. CPI outlook article
- Negative Sentiment: Former executive pleads guilty: A former Williams-Sonoma executive admitted involvement in a $16 million warehouse kickback scheme. Although the conduct is attributed to a former employee, the case could raise concerns about past controls, governance and reputational risk. Warehouse kickback scheme article
- Negative Sentiment: Valuation and profit-taking risk: Recent weakness followed a strong advance, while WSM’s above-market valuation may make investors more cautious when broader markets rise but the stock underperforms.
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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