Analysts Set Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) PT at $23.81

Shares of Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) have been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $23.8056.

A number of research firms have recently commented on LESL. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Leslie’s from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $3.50 price target on Leslie’s in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Wall Street Zen raised Leslie’s from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Mizuho set a $5.00 price objective on Leslie’s in a research note on Thursday, October 16th.

Institutional Trading of Leslie’s

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LESL. Clearfield Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Leslie’s during the 3rd quarter worth about $170,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its holdings in Leslie’s by 38.5% during the second 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 during the period. Penn Capital Management Company LLC increased its position in Leslie’s by 6.7% during the first quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC now owns 602,352 shares of the company’s stock worth $443,000 after buying an additional 37,571 shares during the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Leslie’s by 168.6% in the second quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 63,888 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 40,100 shares during the period. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP raised its stake in Leslie’s by 309.7% in the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 61,474 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 46,468 shares during the period.

Leslie’s Trading Down 10.9%

Shares of LESL opened at $1.80 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 1.32. Leslie’s has a 12 month low of $1.73 and a 12 month high of $48.60. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.40.

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.