Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Shares Gap Up After Dividend Announcement

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW)’s share price gapped up before the market opened on Thursday following a dividend announcement from the company. The stock had previously closed at $43.49, but opened at $46.86. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares last traded at $41.8360, with a volume of 206,438 shares changing hands.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 26th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 26th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is a positive change from Build-A-Bear Workshop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 20.23%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. CJS Securities began coverage on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. They set a “market outperform” rating and a $70.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. DA Davidson lowered their price objective on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $85.00 to $70.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $64.75.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $56.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $57.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $542.73 million, a P/E ratio of 9.63 and a beta of 1.08.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pillsbury Lake Capital LLC acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the fourth quarter worth approximately $12,887,000. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 177.8% in the fourth quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 612,577 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $37,533,000 after buying an additional 392,039 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth approximately $333,000. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 109,254 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $6,694,000 after acquiring an additional 14,213 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna Portfolio Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop in the 4th quarter valued at $918,000. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates a specialty retail business focused on interactive “workshop” experiences that allow customers to create customized stuffed animals. Through its in-store and online platforms, the company offers a wide range of plush toys, apparel, accessories and sound modules, enabling guests to personalize each creation. In addition to its core bear products, Build-A-Bear has expanded its portfolio to include licensed characters from leading entertainment and media franchises.

Founded in 1997 by Maxine Clark and headquartered in St.