Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Shares Gap Up After Dividend Announcement

Shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday following a dividend announcement from the company. The stock had previously closed at $43.49, but opened at $46.86. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares last traded at $41.8360, with a volume of 206,438 shares.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 26th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from Build-A-Bear Workshop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dividend payout ratio is 20.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BBW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 3rd. DA Davidson reduced their price objective on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $85.00 to $70.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 5th. CJS Securities initiated coverage on Build-A-Bear Workshop in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. They set a “market outperform” rating and a $70.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, December 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $64.75.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Down 3.6%

The company’s 50-day moving average is $56.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.85. The company has a market capitalization of $542.73 million, a P/E ratio of 9.63 and a beta of 1.08.

Institutional Trading of Build-A-Bear Workshop

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 68.1% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 501 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 453.1% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 542 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 444 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 163.0% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 668 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 414 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 214.3% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 682 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. 79.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates a specialty retail business focused on interactive “workshop” experiences that allow customers to create customized stuffed animals. Through its in-store and online platforms, the company offers a wide range of plush toys, apparel, accessories and sound modules, enabling guests to personalize each creation. In addition to its core bear products, Build-A-Bear has expanded its portfolio to include licensed characters from leading entertainment and media franchises.

Founded in 1997 by Maxine Clark and headquartered in St.