Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Reaches New 12-Month High - What's Next?

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $36.67 and last traded at $36.64, with a volume of 22872 shares. The stock had previously closed at $35.78.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Northland Securities raised their price target 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, September 2nd.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $31.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $508.02 million, a P/E ratio of 10.54 and a beta of 1.55.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $111.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $107.90 million. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 37.81% and a net margin of 10.36%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.57 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 26th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 26th. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dividend payout ratio is 22.92%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, September 11th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 23.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In related news, CAO Eric R. Fencl sold 17,274 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.05, for a total transaction of $605,453.70. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 137,078 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,804,583.90. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Eric R. Fencl sold 17,274 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.05, for a total value of $605,453.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 137,078 shares in the company, valued at $4,804,583.90. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 48,325 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.19, for a total value of $1,700,556.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 416,679 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $14,662,934.01. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 128,234 shares of company stock worth $4,419,542. 7.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BBW. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 81.4% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 360,329 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $8,284,000 after purchasing an additional 161,700 shares during the last quarter. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC raised its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 54.1% during the 1st quarter. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC now owns 996,166 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $29,755,000 after buying an additional 349,752 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 256,979 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $6,494,000 after buying an additional 17,772 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 63,512 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,897,000 after buying an additional 4,384 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,055 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,885,000 after buying an additional 2,599 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.