Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.03 EPS

Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.03, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $260.13 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $251.80 million. Hayward had a return on equity of 11.61% and a net margin of 13.83%. The business’s revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.14 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Hayward’s conference call:

• Third-quarter results exceeded the prior-year period, with net sales up 6% to $260 million, adjusted EBITDA up 9%, and adjusted diluted EPS up 29% to $0.18. North American sales rose 9%, including 2% volume growth.
• Hayward cited resilient aftermarket demand, which represents more than 85% of sales, along with continued share gains in automation, sanitization, controls, and lighting. North American Early Buy orders for the 2027 pool season are currently ahead of last year, with channel inventories described as balanced.
• Management raised its full-year 2026 outlook to approximately 5%-6% sales growth and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.86-$0.88, or 12%-14% growth. The company continues to target roughly $200 million in free cash flow and expects full-year gross margin near 48% despite inflation and tariffs.
• The new-construction market remains weak, with management not yet seeing a meaningful macro improvement, while Europe and rest-of-world operations face geopolitical and demand pressures. Inflation is expected to be mid- to slightly above mid-single digits in 2026, and fourth-quarter sales guidance of flat to up 3% reflects cautious assumptions about lower-margin Early Buy mix and potentially tighter distributor inventories.

Hayward Price Performance

HAYW stock traded up $0.68 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $15.46. 1,951,101 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,626,913. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 3.33 and a quick ratio of 2.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.90, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.18. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $12.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.58. Hayward has a 12 month low of $11.24 and a 12 month high of $17.73.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Kevin Holleran sold 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.85, for a total value of $692,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 701,234 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,712,090.90. The trade was a 6.66% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Susan Canning sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.70, for a total value of $40,950.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 164,411 shares in the company, valued at $1,923,608.70. This trade represents a 2.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 157,000 shares of company stock worth $2,163,890 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 4.73% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on HAYW shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Hayward in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Zacks Research downgraded Hayward from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Hayward in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. They issued a “peer perform” rating on the stock. KeyCorp restated a “sector weight” rating on shares of Hayward in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Hayward from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Friday, October 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hayward has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $17.12.

Hayward News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Hayward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 results beat expectations: Hayward reported adjusted earnings of $0.18 per share, versus the $0.15 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.5% year over year to $260.13 million, ahead of the $251.80 million forecast. Earnings also improved from $0.14 per share in the prior-year quarter. Hayward Holdings Q3 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Guidance was raised: Management increased its 2026 outlook, signaling confidence that operating momentum can continue despite pressure in new pool construction. The company also reduced leverage to its lowest level since its initial public offering, strengthening its financial profile. Hayward Holdings Reports Third Quarter Results and Increases 2026 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Forward demand improved: Early 2027 pool-equipment orders in North America are tracking ahead of the company’s expectations. Investors were also encouraged by Hayward’s aftermarket business, which helps cushion weakness in pool construction, and by rising demand for energy-efficient automation products. Hayward Soars on Q3 Beat and Raise
• Neutral Sentiment: The earnings-driven rally brought HAYW closer to its 52-week high, meaning continued gains may depend on the company converting improved orders and aftermarket demand into sustained revenue and margin growth. News reports about a Tesla truck fire and local events in Hayward, California are unrelated to Hayward Holdings.

About Hayward

Hayward Holdings, Inc designs, manufactures and markets equipment and technologies used in residential and commercial swimming pools. Its product portfolio includes pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps, automatic pool cleaners, lighting, sanitization systems, water features and pool-control and automation solutions.

The company sells products under the Hayward brand and serves pool owners, builders, retailers, distributors and service professionals. Its equipment is used in both new pool construction and the replacement and renovation market, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, water quality and connected pool-management technologies.

Hayward traces its roots to 1925 and has developed into a global pool-equipment supplier.