Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $195.80 and last traded at $196.5450, with a volume of 23944 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $200.08.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on POOL shares. Cfra raised 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. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Pool from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Pool from $275.00 to $230.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 20th. Zacks Research lowered Pool from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 price target on Pool in a report on Friday, February 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $281.50.

Pool Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.24 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $231.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $253.52. The company has a market cap of $7.25 billion, a PE ratio of 18.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.26.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The specialty retailer reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.15). Pool had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 31.49%. The company had revenue of $982.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $999.14 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.97 EPS. Pool’s quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.850-11.150 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Pool Corporation will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 12th. Pool’s payout ratio is 46.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Pool news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez purchased 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 13th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $205.00 per share, for a total transaction of $1,025,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 110,108 shares in the company, valued at $22,572,140. The trade was a 4.76% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Melanie M. Hart sold 2,750 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $605,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 18,039 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,968,580. The trade was a 13.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its stake in Pool by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pool in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Pool by 78.6% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in Pool during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in Pool by 348.4% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 139 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Pool Company Profile

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.