Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Trading 7.1% Higher – Here’s What Happened

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL)’s stock price traded up 7.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $192.85 and last traded at $193.7930. 590,979 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 30% from the average session volume of 839,828 shares. The stock had previously closed at $180.95.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Pool from $240.00 to $210.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Pool from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Pool from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 price objective on Pool in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on Pool from $346.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $261.38.

Pool Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $198.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $223.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.01 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 0.55.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Pool had a return on equity of 32.37% and a net margin of 7.57%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.32 EPS. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.870-11.170 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Pool Corporation will post 11.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 14th were issued a $1.30 dividend. This is a positive change from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 14th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.84%.

Pool declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to repurchase $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director David G. Whalen bought 525 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $190.44 per share, for a total transaction of $99,981.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 8,936 shares in the company, valued at $1,701,771.84. This represents a 6.24% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 13th. The stock was bought at an average price of $175.95 per share, with a total value of $1,759,500.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 40,108 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,057,002.60. This represents a 33.21% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have acquired a total of 26,989 shares of company stock worth $5,067,747 in the last ninety days. 3.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pool

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Pool by 20.0% in the fourth quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Pool by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 1,051 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $240,000 after buying an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. grew its stake in Pool by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 886 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $275,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Pool by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,163 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $339,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in Pool by 78.6% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Pool Company Profile

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.