Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM)

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s stock has been influenced by several key events in the past six months. In November 2024, the company reported strong third-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance. In August 2024, the company's shares declined after reporting weaker-than-expected comparable sales across several brands, which led to a cut in its full-year revenue projections. Earlier in May 2025, Williams-Sonoma's stock tumbled despite reporting better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue, as its gross margins undershot analysts' estimates. The company's shares have seen a 6.48% change over the past year, with a 52-week range between $130.07 and $221.81.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. experiences clear demand seasonality, with the fourth quarter being a particularly strong period for the company. Demand tends to decelerate after Labor Day, suggesting a tougher first half of the year for sales.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an American publicly traded consumer retail company specializing in kitchenware and home furnishings, operating in the specialty stores industry. The company has a diverse brand portfolio including Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and others. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is recognized as one of the largest e-commerce retailers in the U.S. and a significant multi-channel specialty retailer globally.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a broad geographic presence with retail stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The company offers international shipping worldwide and has unaffiliated franchisees in various countries, including those in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s brand reputation was significantly impacted by a legal settlement with the FTC and the Department of Justice, where the company agreed to pay a record civil penalty of $3.175 million for violating a 2020 FTC order regarding deceptive "Made in USA" claims. On a positive note, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has actively promoted its commitment to ethical production and sustainability, aiming to have 75% of all products meet one or more of its social and environmental initiatives by 2030.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s ownership is predominantly held by institutional investors, with 1560 institutional owners and shareholders holding a total of 123,650,388 shares. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, Blackhill Capital Inc, and State Street Corp. Institutional investors hold approximately 91.74% of the shares, while insiders hold about 5.67%, and retail and public investors account for 2.59%.