Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,650,000 shares, a drop of 11.8% from the October 31st total of 1,870,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 275,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.0 days. Approximately 13.2% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

Shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock traded down $0.15 on Friday, hitting $37.99. 112,419 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 219,410. The company has a market capitalization of $513.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 1.54. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a one year low of $21.24 and a one year high of $40.13. The company has a fifty day moving average of $36.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.71.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 29th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 37.81% and a net margin of 10.36%. The firm had revenue of $111.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.57 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 27th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.11%. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s payout ratio is currently 22.47%.

Build-A-Bear Workshop declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, September 11th that allows the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 23.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, CAO Eric R. Fencl sold 17,274 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.05, for a total transaction of $605,453.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 137,078 shares in the company, valued at $4,804,583.90. The trade was a 11.19 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.32, for a total transaction of $1,666,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 465,004 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,493,933.28. This trade represents a 9.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 130,734 shares of company stock worth $4,510,217 over the last three months. Insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 3rd quarter valued at about $282,000. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 2.4% in the third quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 31,695 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,089,000 after purchasing an additional 734 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 311.3% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 18,246 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 13,810 shares during the period. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the third quarter worth about $230,000. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the third quarter worth about $338,000. 79.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on BBW. Northland Securities lifted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. StockNews.com lowered Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th.

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.