Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Hits New 52-Week Low on Disappointing Earnings

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday following a weaker than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $216.32 and last traded at $222.3520, with a volume of 308008 shares. The stock had previously closed at $255.33.

The specialty retailer reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.99 by ($0.15). Pool had a net margin of 7.77% and a return on equity of 31.40%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.97 earnings per share. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.850-11.150 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Cfra raised shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $304.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Pool from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “cautious” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Pool from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Robert W. Baird set a $320.00 target price on Pool and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Pool currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $311.13.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Berkshire Hathaway Inc boosted its position in Pool by 136.3% during the second quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 3,458,885 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,008,196,000 after purchasing an additional 1,994,885 shares during the period. Caledonia Investments PLC raised its position in shares of Pool by 5.2% in the third quarter. Caledonia Investments PLC now owns 160,887 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $49,886,000 after purchasing an additional 8,000 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its stake in shares of Pool by 224.7% in the second quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 61,696 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $17,983,000 after buying an additional 42,696 shares during the last quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pool by 43.9% in the third quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 40,719 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $12,626,000 after buying an additional 12,424 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneva Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pool by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC now owns 96,966 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $28,264,000 after buying an additional 9,673 shares during the period. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pool Stock Down 12.8%

The firm has a market capitalization of $8.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 2.57. The business’s 50 day moving average is $250.48 and its 200-day moving average is $275.83.

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.