Concentric Capital Strategies LP Makes New $8.27 Million Investment in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

Concentric Capital Strategies LP purchased a new position in shares of Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 24,261 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $8,272,000. Concentric Capital Strategies LP owned approximately 0.06% of Pool at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pool by 2,300.0% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 72 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Atala Financial Inc purchased a new stake in Pool in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pool in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Pool by 76.9% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 138 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Pool in the 3rd quarter valued at $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.99% of the company's stock.

Pool Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ POOL traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $301.92. 391,456 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 387,690. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.35 billion, a PE ratio of 26.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. Pool Co. has a 52-week low of $284.28 and a 52-week high of $395.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 2.05. The business's fifty day moving average price is $314.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $340.10.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. Pool had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 8.18%. Pool's revenue was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.85 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Pool Co. will post 11.32 EPS for the current year.

Pool declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, April 30th that authorizes the company to buyback $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to purchase up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a $1.25 dividend. This is a boost from Pool's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.66%. Pool's dividend payout ratio is 46.90%.

Insider Activity at Pool

In related news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez sold 10,000 shares of Pool stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $21,651,642. The trade was a 13.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total transaction of $385,245.00. Following 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. 3.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on POOL shares. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Pool from $325.00 to $310.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Pool in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $344.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $300.00 price target on Pool in a research report on Friday, April 25th. StockNews.com cut Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Stephens lowered their target price on Pool from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pool has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $336.22.

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.