Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Hits New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Shares of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $228.51 and last traded at $231.39, with a volume of 47182 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $230.55.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

POOL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Cfra upgraded Pool from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $304.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $360.00 price target on shares of Pool and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Robert W. Baird set a $345.00 price objective on shares of Pool in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Pool in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Pool in a research report on Monday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Pool currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $317.38.

Pool Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $8.64 billion, a PE ratio of 21.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.36 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $254.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $289.47.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.01. Pool had a net margin of 7.77% and a return on equity of 31.40%. The company had revenue of $1.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.46 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.26 EPS. Pool’s quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.700-11.200 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Pool Corporation will post 11.32 EPS for the current year.

Pool Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were given a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. Pool’s payout ratio is currently 45.58%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Pool in the third quarter worth $127,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Pool by 83.7% in the 3rd quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 2,181 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $676,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of Pool by 133.3% in the 3rd 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 last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its position in shares of Pool by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 7,564 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,345,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its stake in Pool by 42.7% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 398 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $123,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. 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.