Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) Shares Sold by Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt

Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lessened its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM - Free Report) by 98.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,300 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 63,400 shares during the quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt's holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $241,000 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. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,474 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $643,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. Westmount Partners LLC grew its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Westmount Partners LLC now owns 6,242 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,156,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Smithfield Trust Co increased its position 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 valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,226 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $500,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% during the 3rd 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the company's stock.

Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

Shares of WSM traded down $2.81 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $206.55. 706,144 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,266,939. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $197.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $162.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.43 billion, a PE ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 1.79. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 52-week low of $108.19 and a 52-week high of $219.98.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 17th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 17th. Williams-Sonoma's 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 stock was sold at an average price of $130.49, for a total transaction of $5,219,600.00. Following the completion of 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 sale 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 company's stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $177.39, for a total transaction of $560,552.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,388 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,228,767.32. The trade was a 6.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 88,160 shares of company stock valued at $15,129,352. Insiders own 1.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on WSM. Loop Capital upped their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $140.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Wedbush boosted their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $162.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $172.34.

Williams-Sonoma Company 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.