Algert Global LLC Acquires Shares of 1,020 Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,020 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $348,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Waterloo Capital L.P. increased its stake in Pool by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 635 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $216,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Pool by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,122 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $383,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its stake in shares of Pool by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 3,868 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,319,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pool by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,578 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $5,993,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Pool by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 714 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on POOL. Wells Fargo & Company set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Pool in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Pool in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $344.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $300.00 price target on Pool in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Stephens decreased their price target on Pool from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $336.22.

Insider Activity at Pool

In other news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez sold 10,000 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.00, for a total value of $3,460,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 62,577 shares of the company's stock, valued at $21,651,642. This trade represents a 13.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total transaction of $385,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,667 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,045,105. This represents a 11.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 3.00% of the company's stock.

Pool Stock Performance

Shares of POOL traded up $7.29 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $320.82. 825,443 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 394,342. Pool Co. has a 12-month low of $284.28 and a 12-month high of $395.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $310.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $338.03.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The specialty retailer reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.42 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. Pool had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 31.11%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.85 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Pool Co. will post 11.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. This is an increase from Pool's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Pool's dividend payout ratio is 46.90%.

Pool declared that its board has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 30th that authorizes the company to buyback $600.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to purchase up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Pool Company Profile

Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products in the United States and internationally. The company offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.