Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) offers everything an investor could want and more, making it a stock worthy of buy-and-hold status. Its quality is centered on the brand and operations, which CEO Laura Alber stewards. The results of her tenure include growth, operational improvement, market share gain, increased brand loyalty, and robust cash flow, allowing for sustained re-investment in the business while maintaining a fortress balance sheet and a healthy capital return.
Regarding capital returns, the payment from Williams-Sonoma is about as good as it gets, including an attractive dividend and count-reducing share buybacks.
