Cannell Capital LLC Decreases Stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. $BBW

Cannell Capital LLC lessened its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) by 59.6% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 49,937 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 73,535 shares during the quarter. Cannell Capital LLC’s holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop were worth $3,256,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BBW. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 50.2% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 64,746 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $4,222,000 after buying an additional 21,652 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 3rd quarter worth about $238,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 702.5% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 18,153 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,184,000 after purchasing an additional 15,891 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the third quarter valued at about $508,000. Finally, Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 12.5% in the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 101,020 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $6,141,000 after purchasing an additional 11,193 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Build-A-Bear Workshop

Here are the key news stories impacting Build-A-Bear Workshop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.23 (4.5% raise), signaling management confidence and improving yield for income-focused investors. Build‑A‑Bear Raises Quarterly Dividend, Signals Ongoing Confidence
• Positive Sentiment: Company reported record Q4 and FY2025 revenues ($154.5M Q4; $529.8M FY) and raised the quarterly dividend — underlying top‑line momentum supports valuation despite near‑term cost headwinds. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop Reports Fourth and Record Fiscal 2025 Results; Increases Quarterly Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Company plans at least 50 new global locations in 2026 and is expanding its international partner model, which could accelerate revenue growth and leverage the brand internationally. Build‑A‑Bear signals at least 50 new global locations in 2026 while expanding international partner model
• Neutral Sentiment: Planned CEO succession: CEO Sharon Price John will retire June 11, 2026; internal COO/Experience Officer Chris Hurt is named successor — a staged transition reduces disruption risk but will be watched for execution. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop Announces Chief Executive Officer Succession
• Neutral Sentiment: The full Q4 2025 earnings call transcript is available for detail on results and management commentary; useful for investors wanting granular color on e‑commerce strategy and partner expansion. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc. (BBW) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s FY26 guidance calls for only mid‑single‑digit revenue growth and anticipates roughly a 1‑point operating margin hit from a assumed ~10% tariff and necessary digital re‑investment to counter declining SEO/AI search disruption — a clear near‑term margin headwind. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop: Risks Are Rising, But Compelling Valuation Keeps Me Invested
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 beat/miss noise: EPS missed consensus by $0.01 and revenue was about $1.2M below estimates; management reported ~ $6M tariff/related cost impact in Q4 — small misses plus tariff pressure likely weigh on near‑term sentiment. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop Earnings and Press Release

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

BBW opened at $40.91 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $56.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.63. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.55 and a fifty-two week high of $75.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $529.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.25 and a beta of 1.08.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The specialty retailer reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.27 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $154.51 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $155.71 million. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 9.85% and a return on equity of 34.44%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 26th. 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%.

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.