Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Has $8.56 Million Position in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 81.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 55,225 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 24,730 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio's holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $8,555,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Smithfield Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% in the third quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 160 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC now owns 166 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 990,956 shares in the company, valued at approximately $129,309,848.44. This trade represents a 3.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 3,160 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.39, for a total value of $560,552.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,388 shares in the company, valued at $8,228,767.32. This represents a 6.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 83,160 shares of company stock worth $11,590,952. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on WSM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $136.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $162.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $148.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 11th. Finally, Wedbush lifted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $154.41.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Up 2.2 %

Shares of NYSE:WSM traded up $4.26 on Friday, reaching $195.64. The company had a trading volume of 2,394,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,967,585. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.81. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $152.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $147.60. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a twelve month low of $95.76 and a twelve month high of $198.70.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, January 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.17%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 17th. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.97%.

About Williams-Sonoma

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.