Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Releases Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $1.14 EPS

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported ($5.34) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($4.20) by ($1.14), Zacks reports.

Leslie’s Price Performance

Shares of Leslie’s stock traded up $0.08 on Tuesday, hitting $1.20. The company had a trading volume of 402,762 shares, compared to its average volume of 165,444. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1.71 and a 200-day moving average of $3.88. Leslie’s has a twelve month low of $1.03 and a twelve month high of $31.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.18 million, a P/E ratio of -0.05 and a beta of 1.30.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leslie’s

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Scopia Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Leslie’s in the second quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its holdings in Leslie’s by 38.5% in the 2nd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 117,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 32,500 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd acquired a new stake in Leslie’s in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Leslie’s by 269.7% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 276,532 shares of the company’s stock valued at $116,000 after buying an additional 201,731 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 2,643.2% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 407,913 shares of the company’s stock worth $171,000 after purchasing an additional 393,043 shares in the last quarter.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group set a $3.75 target price on Leslie’s and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $1.50 price objective on shares of Leslie’s and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Friday, December 26th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Leslie’s from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Leslie’s from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, December 28th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Leslie’s currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $10.21.

Leslie’s Company Profile

Leslie’s, Inc (NASDAQ: LESL) is the largest direct-to-consumer retailer of swimming pool supplies and related equipment in the United States. Through a network of more than 900 company-operated stores and a robust e-commerce platform, the company offers a comprehensive range of pool chemicals, cleaning tools, pumps, filters, heaters and pool accessories. In addition to product retailing, Leslie’s provides in-store and in-home water testing services, equipment installation, repair and ongoing maintenance programs designed to support both residential and commercial pool owners.

Founded in 1963 in North Miami Beach, Florida, Leslie’s has grown from a single neighborhood pool-supply shop into a national specialty retailer.