Mediolanum International Funds Ltd Has $2.27 Million Stock Holdings in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) by 123.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 11,844 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,553 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd’s holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $2,274,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 22.4% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,742 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,248,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares in the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $227,000. Woodline Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,644,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 12.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 16,665 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,723,000 after acquiring an additional 1,857 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 767 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 13,236 shares in the company, valued at $2,715,497.76. This represents a 5.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of the firm’s 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 transaction, 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 65,767 shares of company stock valued at $12,802,440 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 0.8%

Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $215.79 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $193.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $193.36. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $130.07 and a 12 month high of $220.93. The company has a market capitalization of $25.76 billion, a PE ratio of 23.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.64.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The specialty retailer reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.86 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 53.10% and a net margin of 14.30%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.96 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 8.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is 29.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. 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. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $206.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Citigroup reduced their price objective 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. Telsey Advisory Group decreased their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $201.83.

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.