Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Shares Bought by Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 164.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 99,291 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after buying an additional 61,675 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.08% of Williams-Sonoma worth $15,382,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Smithfield Trust Co grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 160 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 2.6% in the third quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,226 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $500,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. TFG Advisers LLC increased its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 3.1% in the second quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 2,746 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $776,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% in the third quarter. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC now owns 166 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 2.1 %

Williams-Sonoma stock traded up $3.84 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $190.59. 1,901,748 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,969,112. The firm has a market cap of $23.46 billion, a PE ratio of 22.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.81. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $151.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $147.30. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12-month low of $94.63 and a 12-month high of $192.83.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 18th were given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 18th. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.97%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.49, for a total value of $5,219,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 990,956 shares of the company's stock, valued at $129,309,848.44. This trade represents a 3.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 3,160 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $177.39, for a total value of $560,552.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 46,388 shares in the company, valued at $8,228,767.32. This trade represents a 6.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 83,160 shares of company stock worth $11,590,952. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WSM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wedbush boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $162.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Citigroup cut their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $140.00 to $134.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $136.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $154.41.

Williams-Sonoma Profile

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.