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

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,570,000 shares, an increase of 29.8% from the December 31st total of 1,210,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 287,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.5 days. Approximately 12.2% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other news, CAO Eric R. Fencl sold 9,074 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.28, for a total value of $365,500.72. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 128,004 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,156,001.12. This represents a 6.62 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lesli Rotenberg sold 2,473 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.10, for a total transaction of $101,640.30. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 11,724 shares in the company, valued at approximately $481,856.40. The trade was a 17.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 175,713 shares of company stock worth $7,580,622. 7.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 322.8% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 24,935 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $857,000 after buying an additional 19,038 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 4th quarter worth $800,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 372,168 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $12,863,000 after purchasing an additional 94,986 shares during the period. De Lisle Partners LLP boosted its stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 25.9% during the 3rd quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP now owns 732,911 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $25,187,000 after purchasing an additional 150,619 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new stake in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 3rd quarter worth $282,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Down 4.0 %

Shares of NYSE:BBW opened at $42.51 on Monday. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 52 week low of $21.60 and a 52 week high of $48.23. The company’s 50 day moving average is $42.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.80. The company has a market cap of $571.33 million, a PE ratio of 11.31 and a beta of 1.50.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.35%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 EPS for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 27th were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 27th. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s payout ratio is 21.28%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on BBW shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Northland Securities upped their target price on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th.

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.