Insider Selling: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) Director Sells 2,500 Shares of Stock

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) Director Craig Leavitt sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.36, for a total value of $103,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 78,167 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,232,987.12. This trade represents a 3.10 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Up 5.1 %

Build-A-Bear Workshop stock traded up $2.11 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $43.13. The stock had a trading volume of 263,797 shares, compared to its average volume of 237,971. The company has a market capitalization of $583.03 million, a PE ratio of 11.47 and a beta of 1.53. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has a 52-week low of $21.24 and a 52-week high of $47.01. The firm's fifty day moving average is $38.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.57.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.40% and a net margin of 10.58%. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 27th. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.28%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, September 11th that permits the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the specialty retailer to buy up to 23.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on BBW shares. DA Davidson lifted their target price on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Northland Securities upped their price objective on 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. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.4% during the second quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 34,467 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $871,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 3.6% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 111,069 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,807,000 after purchasing an additional 3,857 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 211.8% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,889 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,350 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $363,000 after purchasing an additional 1,636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Privium Fund Management UK Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the second quarter valued at $332,000. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.