Empowered Funds LLC Makes New $8.49 Million Investment in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. $WSM

Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 36,408 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $8,487,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WSM. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 1,844.3% in the 1st quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 47,733 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $8,703,000 after acquiring an additional 45,278 shares during the period. Little House Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter valued at $801,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 5,019.6% during the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 89,388 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $15,964,000 after purchasing an additional 87,642 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the fourth quarter valued at $1,173,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 23.8% in the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 294,598 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $52,612,000 after purchasing an additional 56,578 shares during the period. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of WSM stock opened at $235.07 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $27.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.50. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $233.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $208.49. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $165.51 and a 1 year high of $254.89.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The specialty retailer reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.93 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 53.48% and a net margin of 14.73%.The company’s revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.00 EPS. Analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 9.45 EPS for the current year.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 21st. Investors of record on Friday, July 17th were given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 17th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.12%.

Insider Transactions at Williams-Sonoma

In other Williams-Sonoma news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 1,112 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.49, for a total transaction of $254,080.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 21,717 shares in the company, valued at $4,962,117.33. The trade was a 4.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 3,156 shares of company stock valued at $738,699 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on WSM shares. Jefferies Financial Group set a $275.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Wednesday. Credit Suisse Group set a $261.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Monday, August 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $261.00 target price (up from $230.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Seaport Research Partners reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Friday, August 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $260.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $244.44.

Trending Headlines about Williams-Sonoma

Here are the key news stories impacting Williams-Sonoma this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Williams-Sonoma exceeded expectations with adjusted earnings of $2.10 per share versus the $2.08 consensus and revenue of $1.96 billion versus estimates of $1.93 billion. Comparable sales increased 6.2%, reflecting broad-based growth across its brands, including Pottery Barn and West Elm. Williams-Sonoma Fiscal Q2 Earnings Snapshot
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised its full-year revenue and earnings outlook, signaling confidence that market-share gains and improving comparable-sales trends can continue in the second half. Analysts highlighted that the company has moved beyond its most difficult year-over-year margin comparison, while comps are accelerating. Williams-Sonoma’s Most Difficult Margin Comparison Is Behind It
• Positive Sentiment: Several analysts raised their price targets following the results. KeyBanc increased its target to $270, RBC reaffirmed an Outperform rating with a $260 target, and Morgan Stanley lifted its target to $240 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating. Jim Cramer also argued that the post-earnings selloff did not reflect the strength of the report. Analysts Increase Forecasts on Williams-Sonoma
• Neutral Sentiment: Citigroup raised its price target from $248 to $252 but retained a Neutral rating, while Guggenheim also maintained Neutral. This reflects continued confidence in the business but limited conviction that the current valuation offers substantial upside. Analyst Insights on Williams-Sonoma
• Negative Sentiment: Gross margin declined because of tariffs, creating a key risk to earnings if higher costs cannot be offset through pricing, sourcing, or operating efficiencies. The company also remains exposed to a weak housing market and cautious discretionary spending. Williams-Sonoma Grew Comps 6.2% and Raised Guidance
• Negative Sentiment: The muted market reaction suggests investors may have been positioned for an even stronger report, or may be taking profits after a substantial rally. At roughly 24 times earnings and near its 52-week high, WSM’s valuation leaves less room for execution disappointments.

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams?Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multi?brand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higher?end interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.