B & T Capital Management DBA Alpha Capital Management Sells 1,968 Shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)

B & T Capital Management DBA Alpha Capital Management decreased its stake in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 4.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 40,584 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 1,968 shares during the period. Williams-Sonoma accounts for approximately 1.4% of B & T Capital Management DBA Alpha Capital Management's holdings, making the stock its 26th largest position. B & T Capital Management DBA Alpha Capital Management's holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $7,515,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Smithfield Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% during 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 during the period. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Up 1.8 %

NYSE:WSM traded up $3.60 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $202.73. 1,452,286 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,779,851. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12-month low of $95.76 and a 12-month high of $204.68. The company has a market cap of $24.96 billion, a PE ratio of 23.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 1.79. The business's 50-day moving average price is $179.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $155.55.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 17th. Williams-Sonoma's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.97%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.49, for a total value of $5,219,600.00. Following the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 3,160 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 46,388 shares in the company, valued at $8,228,767.32. This trade represents a 6.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $116.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $136.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Wedbush upped their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $194.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $160.03.

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.