Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Rating Increased to Buy at StockNews.com

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report released on Thursday.

BBW has been the topic of a number of other reports. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, December 6th. Northland Securities increased their price target on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

Shares of BBW traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $42.74. 295,170 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 238,950. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 12 month low of $21.24 and a 12 month high of $47.01. The stock has a market cap of $574.43 million, a P/E ratio of 11.37 and a beta of 1.53. The stock's 50-day moving average is $38.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.77.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.40%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.53 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Insider Transactions at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In related news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 48,325 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.19, for a total transaction of $1,700,556.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 416,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,662,934.01. This trade represents a 10.39 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Vojin Todorovic sold 12,635 shares of the firm'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 transaction of $447,531.70. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 90,695 shares in the company, valued at $3,212,416.90. The trade was a 12.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 94,781 shares of company stock worth $3,414,758. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 23.4% during the second quarter. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC now owns 1,229,006 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $31,057,000 after buying an additional 232,840 shares in the last quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP lifted its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 25.9% during the third quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP now owns 732,911 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $25,187,000 after buying an additional 150,619 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 640,027 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $16,174,000 after buying an additional 2,081 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 372,168 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $12,863,000 after acquiring an additional 94,986 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 320,832 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $8,107,000 after acquiring an additional 47,096 shares during the last quarter. 79.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.