Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Hits New 1-Year High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $70.01 and last traded at $66.78, with a volume of 36159 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $58.56.

The specialty retailer reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.27. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.91% and a return on equity of 40.74%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.64 EPS.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 26th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 26th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s payout ratio is 21.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BBW has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 23rd. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $52.67.

Insider Activity at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other news, CAO Eric R. Fencl sold 6,993 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.50, for a total value of $339,160.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 123,318 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,980,923. This represents a 5.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 31,250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.73, for a total transaction of $1,429,062.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 291,305 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,321,377.65. The trade was a 9.69% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 48,248 shares of company stock worth $2,276,383. Corporate insiders own 5.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BBW. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 5,113.6% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 752,320 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $38,789,000 after purchasing an additional 737,890 shares during the last quarter. Alta Fox Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth $5,631,000. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 2nd quarter worth $6,233,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 1st quarter worth $3,572,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 2nd quarter worth $4,908,000. 79.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $847.42 million, a PE ratio of 15.39 and a beta of 0.70. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $52.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.35.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

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.