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

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,170,000 shares, a drop of 17.0% from the March 15th total of 1,410,000 shares. Currently, 9.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 295,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

BBW traded down $4.08 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $33.09. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 184,696 shares, compared to its average volume of 263,387. The stock has a market cap of $444.73 million, a PE ratio of 8.80 and a beta of 1.04. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a fifty-two week low of $23.63 and a fifty-two week high of $48.23. The business’s 50-day moving average is $37.95 and its 200-day moving average is $39.28.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.35%. The business had revenue of $150.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.53 million. Analysts expect that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 EPS for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 27th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 27th. This is a boost from Build-A-Bear Workshop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.10%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider J. Christopher Hurt sold 6,210 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.91, for a total value of $247,841.10. Following the sale, the insider now owns 43,176 shares in the company, valued at $1,723,154.16. This trade represents a 12.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Vojin Todorovic sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.08, for a total transaction of $200,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 70,695 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,833,455.60. This trade represents a 6.61 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BBW. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 43.0% in the first quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 24,836 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $923,000 after acquiring an additional 7,467 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 1st quarter worth $850,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 1st quarter worth about $250,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management raised its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 21,133 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 31,861 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,184,000 after buying an additional 340 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BBW has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com cut Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. DA Davidson reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a research note on Friday, March 14th.

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.