Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Shares Gap Up After Earnings Beat

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock had previously closed at $35.50, but opened at $40.98. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares last traded at $37.26, with a volume of 100,526 shares.

The specialty retailer reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.35% and a net margin of 10.58%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.27%. This is an increase from Build-A-Bear Workshop's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dividend payout ratio is 21.28%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on BBW shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Northland Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, insider J. Christopher Hurt sold 12,635 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.53, for a total value of $499,461.55. Following the sale, the insider now owns 49,386 shares in the company, valued at $1,952,228.58. This trade represents a 20.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Craig Leavitt sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.36, for a total transaction of $103,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 78,167 shares in the company, valued at $3,232,987.12. This represents a 3.10 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 164,166 shares of company stock worth $7,113,481 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 7.90% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BBW. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 3.3% during the third 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. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 32.0% during the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 23,437 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $806,000 after purchasing an additional 5,680 shares during the period. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.9% during the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,397 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $770,000 after purchasing an additional 408 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the third quarter worth $306,000. Finally, Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.5% during the third quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 98,581 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $3,388,000 after purchasing an additional 1,409 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.30% of the company's stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $521.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.32 and a beta of 1.50. The business's fifty day moving average price is $40.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.21.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Company Profile

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.

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