Zacks Research Predicts Lower Earnings for Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Williams-Sonoma in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 1st. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the specialty retailer will earn $1.82 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.87. The consensus estimate for Williams-Sonoma’s current full-year earnings is $8.36 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Williams-Sonoma’s Q2 2027 earnings at $2.01 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.12 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.29 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $9.25 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.98 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $2.18 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $2.46 EPS, Q4 2028 earnings at $3.62 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $10.25 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $11.42 EPS.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on WSM. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $180.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $206.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. Evercore set a $215.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $235.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $250.00 to $225.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $209.56.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:WSM opened at $180.21 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $198.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $193.66. Williams-Sonoma has a 1-year low of $130.07 and a 1-year high of $222.00. The stock has a market cap of $21.45 billion, a PE ratio of 20.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.58.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March 18th. The specialty retailer reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.90 by $0.14. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 51.45% and a net margin of 13.94%.The company had revenue of $2.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.28 earnings per share. Williams-Sonoma’s quarterly revenue was down 4.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from Williams-Sonoma’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 17th. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.83%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.04, for a total value of $3,660,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 786,537 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $143,967,732.48. This trade represents a 2.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 767 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.16, for a total value of $157,357.72. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,236 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,715,497.76. The trade was a 5.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 88,451 shares of company stock valued at $16,980,845 over the last ninety days. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC raised its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 37.9% during the 3rd quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 16,398 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $3,205,000 after acquiring an additional 4,510 shares during the period. EFG Asset Management North America Corp. lifted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 51.5% during the third quarter. EFG Asset Management North America Corp. now owns 14,593 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,852,000 after acquiring an additional 4,961 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 30.2% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 997,414 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $194,947,000 after acquiring an additional 231,489 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 10.2% in the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 972,810 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $174,473,000 after acquiring an additional 89,779 shares during the period. Finally, Vest Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 39.5% in the third quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 282,503 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $55,215,000 after purchasing an additional 80,044 shares in the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Williams-Sonoma News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Williams-Sonoma this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised multi‑year earnings targets — FY2028 EPS was lifted to $10.25 (from $9.58) and FY2029 to $11.42; Zacks also raised FY2027 to $9.25. These upward revisions point to stronger medium‑term profit expectations and could support a higher valuation for WSM. MarketBeat Zacks note
• Positive Sentiment: Broad 2028 quarter‑by‑quarter raises — Zacks increased Q1–Q4 2028 estimates (Q1 2028 to $1.98, Q2 to $2.18, Q3 to $2.46, Q4 to $3.62), suggesting anticipated revenue/margin improvement through 2028. That trend is a catalyst for investors focused on earnings growth. MarketBeat Zacks note
• Positive Sentiment: Upgrades to key 2027 quarters — Zacks lifted Q3 2027 to $2.12 and Q4 2027 to $3.29 (from $2.99), implying improved seasonal outlook for the comparable periods. Positive near‑term beats vs. expectations could boost sentiment. MarketBeat Zacks note
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks’ outlook contrasts with the posted consensus cited in reports (current consensus referenced at ~$8.36 FY). Divergent analyst views may drive short‑term volatility as investors await corroborating guidance or other analyst updates. MarketBeat Zacks note
• Negative Sentiment: Small cuts to early‑2027 estimates — Zacks trimmed Q1 2027 (1.87 → 1.82) and Q2 2027 (2.02 → 2.01). Those modest downgrades signal slight near‑term softness risk and could pressure sentiment until clearer sales momentum is shown. MarketBeat Zacks note

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams‑Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multi‑brand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higher‑end interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.