Vision Financial Markets LLC Acquires Shares of 13,800 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)

Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 13,800 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $2,555,000. Williams-Sonoma comprises about 2.7% of Vision Financial Markets LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Proficio Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,676 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $496,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Keybank National Association OH lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 5.7% in the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 3,707 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $686,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Ring Mountain Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 4th quarter valued at about $233,000. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 36,640 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $6,785,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Plato Investment Management Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 20.6% in the 4th quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd now owns 4,127 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $767,000 after acquiring an additional 704 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.29% of the company’s stock.

Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance

NYSE WSM opened at $187.50 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $201.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $169.16. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 52-week low of $117.13 and a 52-week high of $219.98. The company has a market cap of $23.08 billion, a PE ratio of 22.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.79.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 17th were paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 17th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, CFO Jeffrey Howie sold 1,408 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction of $273,602.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,388 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,014,116.16. This trade represents a 2.95 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Laura Alber sold 45,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.76, for a total transaction of $9,349,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 944,666 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $196,263,808.16. This trade represents a 4.55 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WSM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $116.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Telsey Advisory Group increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $170.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $173.28.

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.