Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. Makes New $433,000 Investment in Leslie’s, Inc. $LESL

Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 262,460 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $433,000.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Leslie’s in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Clearfield Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Leslie’s in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $170,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its stake in Leslie’s by 309.7% in the 2nd quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 61,474 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 46,468 shares in the last quarter. Scopia Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Leslie’s in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake 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 worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 32,500 shares in the last quarter.

Leslie’s Price Performance

Leslie’s stock opened at $3.01 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $28.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.10 and a beta of 1.53. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1.84. Leslie’s, Inc. has a 1-year low of $0.87 and a 1-year high of $18.00.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 13th. The company reported ($5.36) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($4.41) by ($0.95). The company had revenue of $184.74 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $162.48 million. Equities analysts expect that Leslie’s, Inc. will post -2.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LESL. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $1.00 price target on shares of Leslie’s and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Wolfe Research reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $3.00 price target (up from $2.00) on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Leslie’s from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Leslie’s presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $2.85.

About Leslie’s

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.