You’re looking for the smith and wesson stock symbol, and it’s SWBI. That’s the short answer. But if you’re actually thinking about putting money into it, there is a lot of baggage and history behind those four letters that you probably should know before hitting the "buy" button on your brokerage app.
Honestly, the ticker itself has a bit of a chaotic past. For a long time, the company wasn't even called Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. on the public markets. It was American Outdoor Brands. Then, in a move that made a lot of sense to purists and investors alike, they spun off the outdoor gear business in 2020. They went back to their roots. Now, when you see SWBI on the Nasdaq, you’re looking at a pure-play firearms manufacturer. No camping chairs. No saws. Just guns.
Why the SWBI Ticker is More Than Just a Name
The smith and wesson stock symbol represents a company that is basically the "blue chip" of the firearms world, alongside its rival Sturm, Ruger & Co. (RGR). But don't let the 170-year history fool you. This stock moves like a tech startup sometimes. It’s volatile.
As of early 2026, the stock has been hovering around the $10 to $11 range. It’s not a "get rich quick" play for most people right now. It's more of a yield play. Why? Because the dividend yield has been sitting at a pretty beefy 4.8% to 5.2%. That’s high. Like, "should I be worried about this payout?" high.
The Dividend Dilemma
If you look at the numbers, the payout ratio is often over 100% of earnings. That sounds scary. In any other industry, a payout ratio that high is a flashing red light that a dividend cut is coming. But Smith & Wesson is weird. They have a lot of cash flow that doesn't always show up cleanly in the "earnings" line because of how they handle inventory and manufacturing costs.
- Current Dividend: $0.13 per quarter.
- Annualized: $0.52.
- Yield: Approximately 4.9%.
They’ve been raising this dividend for about four or five years straight now. It’s a key reason why people hold SWBI. They aren't looking for the stock to double; they’re looking for that check to clear every three months.
What Drives the Price of SWBI?
Most people think the smith and wesson stock symbol moves based on how many people are at the shooting range. That's only half true. The real driver? Fear.
Politics is the invisible hand here. Every time there is a major legislative push for gun control, sales spike. It’s the "fear of the ban." People rush to the stores to buy what they think might be gone tomorrow. We saw this massively during the 2020-2021 period when the stock hit all-time highs near $30.
Lately, though, things have cooled off. We are in what the industry calls a "normalized" environment.
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The 2026 Landscape
Something pretty interesting happened on January 1, 2026. The federal government basically eliminated the $200 tax stamp for things like suppressors and short-barreled rifles. This "NFA to zero" move has sparked a massive uptick in interest for those specific categories. While Smith & Wesson is primarily a handgun and rifle shop, anything that brings people into gun stores is a win for the SWBI ticker.
SWBI vs. RGR: The Great Debate
You can't talk about the smith and wesson stock symbol without mentioning Sturm, Ruger & Company (RGR). They are the Pepsi and Coke of the gun world.
Ruger is often seen as the "safer" bet because they have zero debt. Literally none. They are a cash fortress. Smith & Wesson, on the other hand, carries some debt—about $129 million—but they are also more aggressive with their product launches.
In the most recent quarter (Q2 2026, which reported in late 2025), S&W reported revenue of about $124.7 million. That was a bit of a dip year-over-year, but they still beat analyst expectations. They are incredibly good at "promotional environments." Basically, when the market gets crowded, they drop a new version of the M&P Shield or a Bodyguard 2.0, and the fans flock to it.
Which is "Cheaper"?
Technically, SWBI usually trades at a lower P/E ratio than Ruger. It’s the "value" play. As of mid-January 2026, SWBI’s trailing P/E is way up there—around 48—but that’s because earnings have been lumpy. Forward P/E is much more reasonable, closer to 23.
The Moving Parts: Inventory and Innovation
One thing that confuses people about the smith and wesson stock symbol is the inventory. If you see S&W's inventory levels rising, you might think, "Oh no, nobody is buying their stuff."
Actually, it’s the opposite.
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They use their massive facility in Maryville, Tennessee, to build up stock during the slow summer months so they can flood the market in the fall and winter. It’s a seasonal business. If they don't have the guns on the shelves when a hunter or a first-time buyer walks in, they lose that sale forever. Mark Peter Smith, the CEO, has been very vocal about this "innovation agenda." New products (stuff released in the last few years) accounted for nearly 38% of their sales recently. If they stop innovating, the stock dies.
Is it a Buy?
Look, I'm not your financial advisor. But here’s the reality of SWBI.
It’s a controversial stock. Some institutional investors won't touch it because of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rules. That keeps the price lower than it probably "should" be based on cash flow alone. But that’s also why the dividend yield is so high.
If you believe that the 2nd Amendment isn't going anywhere and you like getting paid to wait, the smith and wesson stock symbol is one of the few ways to play that conviction. Just don't expect a smooth ride. It’s a roller coaster. One day it’s up 7% on a news headline, the next it’s down 4% because someone at the Fed sneezed.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you’re serious about tracking this, don't just look at the stock price. Follow the NICS background check data that comes out every month. It’s the best "early warning system" for how the industry is doing. If those numbers are up, SWBI usually follows.
Also, keep an eye on the next earnings date, which is estimated to be March 5, 2026. That will tell us if the "New Year" sales bump from the NFA tax changes actually moved the needle for their bottom line. If they beat the $0.04 EPS estimate, we might see the stock finally break out of that $11 ceiling.
Key Takeaways:
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- Ticker Symbol: SWBI (Nasdaq)
- Current Price Range: $10.50 - $11.50
- Primary Rivals: RGR (Ruger), VSTO (Vista Outdoor)
- Main Risks: Legislative changes and "promotional" (discount) pricing wars.
- Main Reward: High dividend yield and market leadership.
Check your brokerage's "Dividend Reinvestment" (DRIP) settings if you decide to jump in. With a yield near 5%, compounding those shares over a few years can make a massive difference in your total return, even if the share price stays relatively flat.