Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Reaches New 12-Month Low on Analyst Downgrade

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL)’s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday after Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on the stock from $240.00 to $210.00. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a hold rating on the stock. Pool traded as low as $182.44 and last traded at $181.9230, with a volume of 33031 shares. The stock had previously closed at $184.77.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on POOL. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Pool from a “sell (d)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Pool from $230.00 to $215.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Pool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 target price on shares of Pool in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Pool has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $261.38.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Melanie M. Hart sold 2,750 shares of Pool stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $605,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 18,039 shares in the company, valued at $3,968,580. This trade represents a 13.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $190.00 per share, with a total value of $1,900,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 30,108 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,720,520. The trade was a 49.73% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders bought 22,024 shares of company stock valued at $4,424,071. Insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Pool News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Two recent reports noted insider buying by Pool Corporation directors, which can be a bullish signal because executives and directors are putting personal capital into the stock. Insider Buying: Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Director Purchases $193,060.00 in Stock
• Positive Sentiment: A second insider purchase was also reported, adding to the perception that management may see value at current levels. Insider Buying: Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Director Acquires $90,206.24 in Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data showed zero shares reported, which does not provide a clear trading signal for investors.
• Neutral Sentiment: Other articles in the feed refer to unrelated “pool” stories, such as reflecting pool construction and pool-cleaning products, and do not appear to affect Pool Corporation’s fundamentals.
• Negative Sentiment: Stifel lowered its price target on Pool Corporation to $210 from $240 and maintained a Hold rating, reflecting softer expectations for the stock’s upside. POOL was also already trading well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, reinforcing bearish sentiment. Read More

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pool

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pool during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new stake in Pool during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new stake in Pool in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Pool by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in shares of Pool by 78.6% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pool Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The business has a fifty day moving average of $210.78 and a 200-day moving average of $236.00. The company has a market cap of $6.61 billion, a PE ratio of 16.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.16.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.09. Pool had a net margin of 7.57% and a return on equity of 32.37%. The business had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.32 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.870-11.170 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Pool Corporation will post 11.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 14th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 14th. This is a boost from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.00%.

Pool announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to buyback $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty retailer to purchase up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

About Pool

Pool Corporation is a leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products. Headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, the company serves a diverse customer base that includes service professionals, independent retailers, high-volume builders, and national retail chains. Pool Corporation’s extensive branch network enables it to maintain strong local customer relationships while leveraging its scale to source products efficiently from manufacturers around the world.

The company’s product portfolio spans pool and spa chemicals, water treatment equipment, pumps, filters, heaters, automation and control systems, liners, safety covers, and cleaning accessories.