Analysts Set Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) Price Target at $261.38

Shares of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) have received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the twelve brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $261.3750.

POOL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 price objective on Pool in a report on Friday, February 20th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Pool from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Pool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Pool from $240.00 to $210.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Pool from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th.

Pool Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:POOL opened at $180.69 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. Pool has a 12-month low of $172.68 and a 12-month high of $345.00. The company’s fifty day moving average is $200.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $225.48. The company has a market cap of $6.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.10.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.09. Pool had a return on equity of 32.37% and a net margin of 7.57%.The business had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. Pool’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 analysts expect that Pool will post 11.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pool announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to repurchase $600.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 14th were paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 14th. This is a boost from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Pool’s dividend payout ratio is 47.84%.

Insider Activity at Pool

In related news, Director John E. Stokely bought 1,000 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 7th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $193.06 per share, for a total transaction of $193,060.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 16,230 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,133,363.80. This represents a 6.57% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director David G. Whalen bought 525 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The stock was bought at an average price of $190.44 per share, with a total value of $99,981.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 8,936 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,701,771.84. This trade represents a 6.24% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have acquired a total of 26,989 shares of company stock worth $5,067,747 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in Pool during the second quarter worth about $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in Pool during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Pool by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in Pool by 78.6% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Pool by 133.3% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 126 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

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.