Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Reaches New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $38.87 and last traded at $38.70, with a volume of 111265 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.11.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Northland Securities lifted their target price on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $32.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.18. The company has a market cap of $535.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.63 and a beta of 1.55.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 37.81% and a net margin of 10.36%. The business had revenue of $111.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $107.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.57 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 26th were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 26th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.06%. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dividend payout ratio is presently 22.92%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, September 11th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to purchase up to 23.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In related news, Director George Carrara sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.27, for a total value of $90,675.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,421 shares in the company, valued at approximately $668,129.67. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, Director George Carrara sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.27, for a total transaction of $90,675.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,421 shares in the company, valued at $668,129.67. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.32, for a total transaction of $1,666,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 465,004 shares in the company, valued at $15,493,933.28. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 130,734 shares of company stock worth $4,510,217. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Build-A-Bear Workshop

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC increased its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 54.1% during the first quarter. Pacifica Capital Investments LLC now owns 996,166 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $29,755,000 after purchasing an additional 349,752 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 7.4% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 256,979 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $6,494,000 after purchasing an additional 17,772 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 7.4% during the first 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 in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 4.3% during the first 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the second quarter worth about $740,000. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.

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