Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Upgraded at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning.

Separately, Northland Securities lifted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

BBW opened at $38.07 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $33.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.53. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a one year low of $21.24 and a one year high of $39.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $514.71 million, a P/E ratio of 10.69 and a beta of 1.55.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 37.81% and a net margin of 10.36%. The business had revenue of $111.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $107.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.57 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 26th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 26th. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.47%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, September 11th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to buy up to 23.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In related news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.32, for a total value of $1,666,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 465,004 shares in the company, valued at $15,493,933.28. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.32, for a total value of $1,666,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 465,004 shares in the company, valued at $15,493,933.28. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Vojin Todorovic sold 12,635 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.42, for a total value of $447,531.70. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 90,695 shares in the company, valued at $3,212,416.90. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 130,734 shares of company stock worth $4,510,217 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 23,483 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $807,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 705.8% during the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,104 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 967 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,812 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $201,000 after purchasing an additional 871 shares during the period. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 20,186 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $694,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $257,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.