Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) Director Craig Leavitt Sells 2,500 Shares of Stock

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) Director Craig Leavitt sold 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.36, for a total value of $103,400.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 78,167 shares in the company, valued at $3,232,987.12. This represents a 3.10 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Up 5.1 %

NYSE:BBW opened at $43.13 on Tuesday. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has a 12-month low of $21.24 and a 12-month high of $47.01. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $38.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.57. The firm has a market cap of $583.03 million, a P/E ratio of 11.47 and a beta of 1.53.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.40%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.53 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, September 11th that allows the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 23.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 27th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.85%. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.28%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.4% in the second quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 34,467 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $871,000 after buying an additional 469 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 3.6% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 111,069 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $2,807,000 after acquiring an additional 3,857 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 211.8% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,889 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,350 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 1,636 shares during the period. Finally, Privium Fund Management UK Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the 2nd quarter valued at about $332,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BBW shares. Northland Securities increased their price objective on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, December 6th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th.

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.