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

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL)’s share price reached a new 52-week low on Thursday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as low as $216.32 and last traded at $222.3520, with a volume of 308008 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $255.33.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on POOL. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Pool from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Pool in a report on Monday, December 29th. Cfra upgraded shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $304.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $320.00 price target on shares of Pool and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $311.13.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pool

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Berkshire Hathaway Inc lifted its position in shares of Pool by 136.3% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 3,458,885 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,008,196,000 after acquiring an additional 1,994,885 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Pool by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,563,373 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $794,825,000 after acquiring an additional 357,643 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of Pool by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,371,772 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $313,794,000 after acquiring an additional 23,736 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pool by 2,435.4% during the fourth quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,290,958 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $295,307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240,041 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Pool by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 699,628 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $203,928,000 after purchasing an additional 70,075 shares in the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Pool Price Performance

The company’s 50-day moving average price is $250.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $275.83. The company has a market cap of $8.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.21, a P/E/G ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

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.