9,546 Shares in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) Purchased by Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC

Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 9,546 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $3,255,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in POOL. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Pool in the fourth quarter worth $116,833,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Pool by 22.7% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,260,313 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $474,886,000 after acquiring an additional 232,914 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in shares of Pool by 27.5% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,042,514 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $355,435,000 after purchasing an additional 224,674 shares during the last quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc grew its stake in Pool by 48.2% in the fourth quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 598,689 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $204,117,000 after purchasing an additional 194,632 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA increased its holdings in shares of Pool by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 636,007 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $216,840,000 after acquiring an additional 129,780 shares during the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $385,245.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 9,667 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,045,105. The trade was a 11.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 3.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on 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 began coverage on Pool in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $344.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus set a $300.00 price target on Pool in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered their price objective on Pool from $370.00 to $322.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $336.22.

Pool Price Performance

POOL traded down $0.76 on Tuesday, reaching $301.53. The company had a trading volume of 633,368 shares, compared to its average volume of 401,206. The company has a market capitalization of $11.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.73, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a fifty day moving average of $307.81 and a 200-day moving average of $335.28. Pool Co. has a one year low of $284.28 and a one year high of $395.60.

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

Pool declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

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

Pool 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.